Getting Ready For Winter

Out with the beach gear and floral prints. In with the sweaters and football games. As our air starts to turn crisp and mother nature starts up the snow machine, there is much to think about. Is it going to be mittens or gloves? The Raiders or the 49ers? Here's a list of things we would do to prepare your home for winter:

Indoor Chores

• Depending on the age of your home you might consider another layer of insulation in the attic.
• Consider having a radiant barrier coating sprayed on your roof sheeting.
• Consider installing storm windows if you have single-paned windows.
• Seal attic fan openings
• Check out your furnace while HVAC guys are not as busy.
• Inspect and clean heating filters
• Clean your wood-burning stove and your fireplace (both jobs are dirty so take caution or hire a professional chimney sweep)
• Cover your AC units with insulated covers or remove the unit from the wall
• Check all weather stripping and caulking on windows and doors. If repairing, don't use silicon or your paint will seperate during touch up. Use paint-grade caulking.
• Install new batteries and smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. (this should be done every year - pick a consistent date)

Outdoor Chores

• Trim all trees
• Remove leaves and other debris from gutters and spouts. (You might want to install leaf guards in down spouts to keep debris from building up inside the down spouts).
• Shut down sprinkler system and drain
• Protect hose bibs on older homes. You can purchase an insulated cover for the hose bibs. New homes have anti-freeze bibs. If you aren't sure, protect it.
• Close foundation vents
• Prevent ice dams on norther exposure roof lines (use devices from local hardware stores or Lowes or Home Depot - read an follow all directions for all devices you purchase)
• Prepare water gardens and ponds
• Insulate any exposed water lines
• Get snow blower started now and find winter gear for snow removal

Other Considerations

• Garden tool storage (lawn mowers, weed eaters, etc.) Add fuel stabilizers to the gas so it stays good until Spring. Follow all directions.
• Summer toys (motor homes, ATV's etc. that you won't be using in the winter). Add fuel stabilizers and consider solar-powered battery charger to keep the batteries fresh.

Personal vehicles

• New wiper blades
• Anti-freeze windshield cleaner
• Check cooling and heating system
• Properly inflate tires
• Tire chains - just in case
• Small shovel or digging device - check Army Surplus stores for e-tool
• A bag of sand or kitty litter to help get traction if you get stuck
• Jumper cables
• Flash light
• Winter gear (gloves, small blanket, water, emergency items)

If you have items you think we should add, please call and we will add it to this list.