Winterize Your Home in 10 Easy Steps

Fall is fast approaching and, with the season only a couple short weeks away, homeowners and home sellers alike need to be focusing on getting their homes ready for winter.
Winter? you may be asking. It’s not even fall yet! Why should I be thinking about winter already?
The reasons why are fairly simple. Now that the weather is beginning to cool off, working outside will be less of a chore. Doing a few things around the home will also protect your investment by preventing rain, snow, ice, low temperatures, and other inclement conditions from potentially damaging either your house or your property. Plus, if you’re trying to sell your home, keeping everything looking its best will ensure proper curb appeal, should someone who wants to buy your home come calling during the fall or winter months.
Without further ado, here are the 10 simple steps you can take in order to winterize your home.

1. Store the Furniture. Most outdoor furniture will benefit from being stored during winter weather. Clean out an area in an enclosed place (e.g. garage, shed, utility room, etc.) and protect them by wrapping them in tarps and/or vacuum-sealed bags.
2. Clean the Gutters. Mounds of decomposing leaves and branches sticking up out of your gutters are anything but attractive, to you or potential buyers. Not to mention that clogged gutters can cause some major homeowner headaches, such as standing water and even roof damage. Put on some gloves, grab a ladder, and keep those gutters free of debris on a regular basis.
   
3. Maintain the Lawn. If the grass is long, mow it; if the grass isn’t growing well (or even if it is but you want it to look even better), take advantage of this opportunity to reseed and fertilize it. Since a well-manicured lawn can increase a home’s saleability and price, you want it looking great. Just be sure to give the shrubs a trim, too.
   
4. Prune the Trees. If you happen to live in a cold region prone to lots of ice and snow, this one’s especially important. It doesn’t take much additional weight to bring down a weak bough right on top of your roof, car, driveway, or deck. Nip them in the bud, so to speak, now while the weather is still good.
   
5. Powerwash the Walkways. Places that get a lot of foot traffic — decks, patios, driveways, sidewalks, and the like — can get very dirty and unappealing when the weather is warmer and people spend more time outside. The good news is, all you have to do to clean them is pick up a good powerwasher and go to town. They’ll look like new in no time.
   
6. Prep the Tools. Don’t ruin good tools or be without them in a time of need. Drain and store water hoses somewhere indoors, and put seasonal tools such as rakes and shovels in an area where you will remember them and where they can be easily accessed.
7. Check the Heating. Cold weather can strain heating systems, so go ahead and replace any necessary filters and give your furnace a good once-over. You’ll benefit from the added efficiency and lowered heating costs not just during the winter, but all year long.
   
8. Seal the Leaks. This one ties into number 7, as it also helps boost efficiency and lower heating/cooling costs year round. Simply take a caulk gun and reseal all the windows and doors. Your wallet will thank you later.
   
9. Clean the Fireplace. Not only are dirty chimneys not helpful when trying to start a fire, but they are also dangerous, as they can lead to chimney fires. Not the kind of warmth you want, obviously. Either sweep or clean the chimney yourself, or call in a professional, at least once a year.
   
10. Check the Pipes. A burst pipe is always bad, but a burst pipe spraying cold water everywhere during the wintertime? That’s even worse. Make sure your pipes have adequate insulation so they won’t burst or freeze, which is equally as bad.

If you utilize all of the tips above, your house should be more than ready for the coming fall and winter — and maybe even spring and summer, too. If you’re looking for even more information, check out the rest of Movoto’s blog for more helpful advice for homeowners and home sellers!