Prepare your Home for Winter

After an extremely long and hot Summer, most of us are more than happy to welcome Fall with open arms.  While Autumn is a cozy season with its peaceful scenery of mustard and orange leaves; the cheers of college football fans; and pumpkin spice everything- it’s also a time to prepare for the inevitable; Winter.  And even though it’s unlikely that a snow blizzard will occur here in the south, there are still some preparation tasks you will want to tackle before temperatures take a dip.

Inspect Your Heating Service:  

Don’t wait for it to get cold to discover your heating system is not working.   Once the cold weather hits, HVAC service providers will start to book up and it could take days before someone can come out to service your heater. Now is the time to schedule an appointment with your preferred HVAC professional.  

FYI:  If you have a high-efficiency system, the PVC vent pipes may need to be cleared of obstructions.  Boiler systems should have their systems cleaned every year and gas heating systems should have a cleaning every three years.  

Below is a list of  HVAC companies to choose from:

Check Your Fireplace/Chimney:

According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), homeowners should have a chimney cleaned and inspected once a year.  Hiring a professional cleaning service to sweep the chimney and remove flammable residue will ensure a safe and health hazard free fireplace.

Below is a list of  fireplace & chimney inspectors and sweepers:

Don’t Forget About Your Pool:

  • About a week or so prior to closing down your pool, you will need to:
  • Adjust your water balance
  • Clean and vacuum 
  • Drain pool equipment
  • Add winterized algaecide
  • Cover the pool and floaters

Need help preparing your pool for closing?  Contact one of these service providers below:

DIY  Winter Proofing Your Home Projects:

Here is a list of small weatherproofing jobs that can make a real difference once winter hits.  These simple tasks could save you a lot of hassle and money too! 

  • Clean gutters and downspouts in mid-fall and double-check them before winter.

  • Replace the filter in your furnace.

  • Close any vents in your home that may have been opened for the warm weather.

  • Disconnect hoses from outside faucets and turn off the water.

  • Buy a snow shovel and other winter supplies before the messy weather hits.

  • Keep extra water and canned food in storage just in case.

  • Test your heating system, so that you know it will work properly when you need it.

  • Give your deck a fresh coat of sealer to protect it from the winter elements.

You are ready for Winter!  Enjoy.

Looking for the perfect home to create cozy Winter memories in?  Let us help.  Contact one of our agents to get started.