Winter
is upon us and Mother Nature has been kind to us so far. However, colder and
snowier days are sure to be ahead. If you’re like most people, your home is
your biggest asset. Here are some tips for protecting your investment in the
harsh winter months.
Tune
up your heating system:
You
should have your furnace cleaned yearly if it is your primary heating source.
Call and schedule your yearly maintenance to ensure your system is clean and in
good repair, before you find yourself in the cold.
Prevent
ice dams:
Last
winter was especially harsh and I had many clients who ended up with ice dams.
Ice dams are build ups on the edge of the roof and when melting occurs the
water comes inside the home, instead of going off the roof. To prevent ice dams
you should make sure your attic is properly insulated. You should also use a
roof rake to remove snow from the roof so it doesn’t turn to ice and build up
on the edges. You can also locate damaged or loose shingles and replace them if
possible.
Caulk
around windows and doors to keep the elements out and the heat in.
Turn
off exterior faucets:
If
you don’t have frost proof exterior faucets, turn the water off from inside the
home. Remove your hose and drain all of the water. Not doing this could lead to
burst pipes.
Clean
your chimney:
Call
your local chimney sweep and have them come inspect your chimney and clean it
out to make sure it is safe.
Check
carbon monoxide detectors:
Make
sure your carbon monoxide detectors are working properly and replace the
batteries if necessary. We recommend that you have a carbon monoxide detector
near the floor on every level of the home.
Stock
up on rock salt, shovels and tune up your snow blower and/or schedule your plow
service.
Cari
Turnbull is a Windham resident. Cari runs one of the top real estate teams in
the area, representing buyers and sellers in the Greater Portland Area. For all
your real estate needs contact Cari at cturnbull@themainerealestatenetwork.com.
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