Julie Dolan Gives Tips for Weatherproofing Your Home

CONCORD, Mass. - Nov. 11, 2014 - PRLog -- With any luck, this winter will be a mild one. Isn’t that what most New Englanders hope for every year?

But as we know, winters in this part of the country can (and often do) surprise us with bitter cold, heavy snowfall, and conditions that generally make us want to cozy up indoors next to a warm fire. So what can we do to get our homes ready for this unpredictable time of year?

Here are a few tips that will help you be ready when the cold sets in.

1)    Keep the outdoors where it belongs. To avoid chilly drafts and exorbitant heating bills, make sure your house is sealed tightly against the cold. Before the snow sets in, check your foundation for cracks or holes and make sure windows and doors are sealed properly against the elements. If necessary, install weather stripping to prevent the outside weather from becoming an inside problem. And before it gets too bitter out there, swap your screen doors and windows for their storm counterparts. If you have a fireplace, get your chimney cleaned and have the chimney expert check to make sure that there are no loose bricks. Take a good look at your roof to identify any loose or missing shingles or tiles and ensure that all flashing is firmly in place. Finally, clear gutters and drain spouts so that ice and water won’t become a problem that will cause leaks.

Make the inside cozy. No one wants to be stuck without heat in the dead of winter, so make an appointment to have your furnace serviced before the cold sets in for good. Change filters and consider installing programmable thermostats. And while you’re at it, check the water heater to make sure it is in solid working order. If your home is lacking in insulation, adding some extra attic insulation can be a reasonable endeavor. As an additional safety precaution, make sure that carbon monoxide detectors have new batteries and are in working order.

Stock up. Now is the time to restock your firewood pile, buy pellets for your stove, and make your way to a nearby home improvement store to buy ice melt, sand, or salt for the driveway and sidewalks. While you’re there, pick up a roof rake to remove snow and avoid problems with your roof over the winter. Make sure your snow blower is gassed up and in working order.

In case of emergency. Every home should be prepared for emergencies such as power outages. Keep candles, matches, flashlights and extra batteries somewhere accessible and make sure that you have plenty of extra bottled water and non-perishable food on hand. You’ll thank yourself for your preparations when winter weather warnings hit the airwaves and everyone else flocks to the store to compete for limited provisions.

If you prepare now for the cold and snow, you’ll save yourself some headaches when bad weather rolls around this winter. Rather than scrambling to shore up your home, you’ll be able to enjoy winter activities like skiing, skating, and sledding before coming home to a steaming mug of hot chocolate in your cozy house.

Do you want to know more? Visit www.juliedolanrealtor.com for more information.