Winters in the Triangle are usually pretty mild, but it does get cold here, and we do get the occasional snow and ice. Adequately protecting your home against less-than-friendly winter weather can prevent major issues and expensive repairs down the road. Here are some winter home care tips to protect your most valuable asset.
Clean & check your gutters
If your gutters are full, they won’t be able to properly drain water away from your roof. This could cause flooding or freezing, potentially leading to extensive damage. Gutters are fairly easy to clean on your own, but it’s usually not too expensive to hire a pro, too.
Seal doors & windows
Improperly sealed windows or doors can be a huge source of heat loss—costing you both money and comfort. A simple caulk sealant (available at Home Depot or Lowe’s) or new weatherstripping can make a big difference.
Insulate your pipes
Both interior and exterior pipes can freeze and crack if not properly insulated, leading to flooding and extensive damage. External pipes should be shut off and drained, and you may want to buy insulating tape or pipe covers to wrap around both exterior and interior piping.
Tune your heating system
When was the last time you had your heating system inspected? If you haven’t done it since last winter (or before), you may want call in a technician to give it a tune-up and make sure everything is working properly. This will ensure that your system is running at maximum possible efficiency, and will check for potential leaks or malfunctions.
Prune trees and shrubs
This might seem like something you should be doing at the first sign of cold weather, but it’s actually better to wait until late winter (which is fast approaching here in the Triangle!). According to horticulturists, waiting until just before spring to prune is actually more beneficial for your plants. You do, however, want to remove any dead branches near your home or powerlines ASAP.
Good Winter Home Care = Good Spring Home Sale!
Proper maintenance is the key to a good home sale! Following these winter home care tips will ensure your home stays in good repair and is ready for spring selling season.
If you’re thinking of selling your home this year, TradeMark Residential is here to help! Contact us today to learn more about how we price your home, get it ready, and list it for top dollar.