Huntsville Real Estate Agent Winter Preparation Tips

We just experienced our first cold snap. Are you ready for the winter season ahead? While the first day of winter is not until December 21st, now is the time to prepare before the winter weather sets in for good. You’ll be glad you performed these quick and easy procedures to help winterize your home. Not only will you save time and money, but your house will feel more comfortable, as well.

1.Clean those gutters

Now that the leaves are falling, be sure to remove them and other debris from your home’s gutters, and then finally give it a good hose rinse so that winter’s rain and melting snow can drain. Clogged drains can form ice dams, in which the water backs up, freezes and causes water to seep into the house, or gutter pipes to bust.

2. Insulate yourself

Adding insulation to the existing insulation in your attic can save you money in the long run. So how do you know if you need to add more insulation? Take a look in your attic, if the floor joists are visible then you should call an insulation expert for an opinion or estimate. We recommend our friends at Eagle Insulation. The professionals can determine if you have the correct amount of insulation needed. In most cases, you need a minimum of 9.5″ of insulation. However, it’s recommended to have 13.5″ of insulation of an R value of R-38. The R-38 value is what directly impacts a lower power bill.

Call Eagle Insulation today for a FREE estimate and inspection when you mention Amanda Howard Real Estate.

Nate Matthews 755-1556

3. Reverse your ceiling fan

Reversing your ceiling fan is a small tip that people don’t often think of when seasons change. Ceiling fans should rotate clockwise during the winter months. This way, the heat is evenly distributed throughout your rooms, as the fan pushes rising warm air down throughout the home.

4. Alarm check

This is a great time to check the operation of or change the batteries on your home’s smoke detectors. Fire officials recommend smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years. Test them with a small bit of actual smoke, and not just by pressing the “test” button.

5. Insulate windows & doors

Be sure to check windows and doors for drafts and efficiency. Heat can escape through small cracks and holes which can result in higher heating bills. One inexpensive and effective way to insulate is apply weather stripping. This is easy to install and protects the outer edges of your windows to help keep warm air inside and cold air out.

6. Check your heating system

Have a routine check done by a heating professional. Vacuum vents and replace furnace filters if needed. If you use a fireplace as an alternative heating method, be sure to have it inspected and cleaned for proper efficiency or unsafe conditions.

7. Plumbing

Plumbing is especially susceptible to cold weather and freezing. Burst pipes from freezing can cause some of the most expensive repairs in the home. Use an insulating pipe wrap on pipes to keep them functioning in freezing temperatures. To weatherproof your plumbing, shut off the supply of water to outdoor spigots, and sprinkler systems, then drain them. You’ll also want to consider an insulated cover for the hose bibb. And remember to disconnect your garden hoses from the sill cocks or outside faucets and drain them if you store them outside.

8. Create a home emergency kit

Make sure you have the following items on hand: indoor candles and matches/lighter, back‐up batteries, bottled water and non‐perishable food (including pet food, if you have a pet) blankets and a first‐aid kit, and an evacuation plan.

9. Winterize your car

For your safety, look over the following checklist to ensure you have these items covered to keep your car running smoothly during cold weather:

Make sure your engine has the correct antifreeze levels
Fill up on windshield wiper fluid (winter mix)
Have an ice scraper and brush readily available
Check tire pressure levels
General tune‐up (heater, brakes, exhaust, etc)

10. Fire Extinguisher

It’s important to check your fire extinguisher periodically to make sure it is functioning properly. The National Fire Protection Agency’s code says portable fire extinguishers should be inspected monthly and undergo thorough maintenance once a year. And while the yearly maintenance should be performed by a professional, you can perform the monthly checks. It’s easy. Check the label or user manual for maintenance suggestions. We’ve also included a few additional tips, courtesy of our friend Bo Cochran, with Bo Cochran Agency, LLC:

Location: It’s critical that your fire extinguisher is easy to access in the event of an emergency. You don’t want it blocked by furniture or other items.
Check the tamper seal: Extinguishers have a tamper seal to verify that they have not been interfered with. Check this seal during your inspection. If the seal is broken, someone may have tried to use the extinguisher. If so, it’s time to replace the extinguisher or have it professionally inspected
Look at the pull pin: Be certain the pull pin is still inserted in the handle. If the pin is missing, it’s a clear sign that the fire extinguisher has been tampered with or used and needs a professional inspection.
Check the pressure: Many fire extinguishers have a pressure gauge. If yours has one, ensure that the gauge’s needle indicates that the pressure is in the proper operating range. Most of the time, the correct pressure will be marked in green on the gauge.
Track the professional inspections: Your fire extinguisher should have a tag to record the annual professional inspections. Check this tag to be certain that an annual schedule is being maintained.