Get Your Home Winter Ready

It may not feel like it yet this year, but winter is officially here. It’s time to prepare your home for cold weather! Here are a few helpful tips to get ready for the winter and help protect one of your largest investments.

Turn off exterior faucets: Drain and disconnect all exterior faucets to prepare them for the colder months.
Winterize and drain lawn sprinkler systems: Make sure your sprinkler system is drained and winterized for the season.
Check the roof: Inspect for missing shingles, damage, or areas where snow may accumulate.
Caulk and seal around doors and windows: Scrape away old paint or caulk and apply a fresh layer to keep the exterior wood from deteriorating.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: Check all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working and have good batteries.
Clean out gutters: Full gutters lead to drainage and ice issues as winter approaches. Clean all built up debris out of the gutters and make sure that all downspouts are properly attached and functioning correctly.
Inspect and clean the chimney: Have your fireplace cleaned and inspected to ensure the fireplace is safe to use. A clean, well-working fireplace prevents chimney fires and carbon monoxide buildup in your home.
Reverse ceiling fans: Reverse the direction of ceiling fans to push warm air off the ceiling and down onto the room.