Maybe you’ll never personally feel ready for winter. Some of us wish we could skip it altogether. But regardless of how you feel about the icy beast, it’s important to make sure your home is ready before the snow really starts to fly. Today we’re going to focus on the ways you can make sure your property is ready on the outside, ensuring you protect your chief investment as well as those you love.
Make Sure You Don’t Get Stuck Outside
As much as you may wish you never had to leave the house during inclement weather, you’ll probably need to, at some point. And when you do, you’ll be really glad when you can actually enter your home, easily. That requires you to make sure your locks are in proper working order. You can prevent locks from freezing during even the most extreme temperatures and storms by using a de-icer. Powdered-graphite lubricant can be purchased at most hardware stores. Whether you use it as a preventive step or a reactive one, spraying exterior door locks can help make sure you can get back in where you can warm up and relax.
Keep the Critters Outside
As much as you want to be able to get into your home easily, you don’t want unwanted guests to find it easy to breach. As outdoor temperatures plummet, mice and other pests naturally try to get inside where it’s warmer. Any holes or cracks around your home’s exterior provide possible entry points for various types of small animals. Before winter its, be sure to seal up any of these areas to make sure your home is protected from animals and the kinds of damage they can cause.
Get Your Chimney Inspected
Is there anything more iconic this time of year than a fireplace with logs crackling? Despite the seemingly ideal scene such a description conjures, a fireplace can create a major hazard, if it’s not in proper working condition.
Ensuring your chimney is clean and in proper working order requires hiring a professional before fireplace season, a.k.a. Winter. A pro will remove any buildup or blockages that could start on fire as well as prevent the intrusion of carbon monoxide.
Make Sure Your Pipes Are Safe
If your pipes end up freezing and bursting, they can cause all kinds of damage to your home as well as your possessions. Part of making sure your home is ready for winter is taking steps to prevent them from doing just that. First, be sure to shut off water to any exterior faucets and then drain the lines. In addition, you’ll want to ensure that any pipes that run close to your home’s exterior walls or in unheated areas have proper insulation surrounding them.
With your home properly prepared, you may still dread winter’s chill, but at least you’ll be able to enjoy a warm and safe home without fear for safety or added expenses tied to damage from problems you can easily prevent.
Continue reading with Part 2.
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