5 THINGS I DO TO GET MY HOME WINTER READY

It’s mid December so you know winter is arriving in full force. Before you know it we'll have constant freezing temperatures. 

When I first bought my house I didn’t take very good care of it, and I had no idea what to do maintenance-wise, especially for winter. 

So I did some research and I started doing these 4 basic things every year around this time to help keep my home in top shape for the brutal months ahead. 

#1.  I winterize all the exterior faucets and hoses. I’ve had to replace a few of these over the years because I would forget to drain the water from the lines. Once it freezes it could burst

#2. I get my gutters cleaned. I’ve been guilty of not doing this in the past but now it is mandatory due to the amount of foliage in this area.

#3. I get my boiler serviced: If you have radiator steam or baseboard heat, get your boiler serviced once a year. You don’t need to get it drained and refilled, just have the plumber clean up the parts that usually get clogged up.

#4. I check for drafts. Check for drafts throughout your home. This is where you get to see how good your windows are. Calk around window or door frames where necessary. 

#5. I cover and tie up all the patio furniture. True story - powerful winds have sent my stuff flying into my neighbor’s yard, destroying her furniture. Now everything is covered and tied down. 

I know this might all seem like common sense but for me it took years to figure out.

So if you haven’t done these 4 things already this year, it’s probably a good time to start!