HOW TO WINTERIZE YOUR HOME
DECO'S TIPS & TRICKS FOR THIS WINTER
Even without Hallmark’s holiday movies, we all know it to be true: winter is coming. And with it comes plenty of cold weather, rain, snow, and ice. As a DECO homeowner, that means it’s time to turn on the heat and get the snow shovel or blower ready, but there’s another taskthat’s equally important before the first snowfall: winterizing your home. It’s a necessary task, and it’s easy to forget some of the things you need to do to winterize your home. So, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide of everything you need to do to keep your new DECO home winter-ready.
TURN OFF EXTERIOR FAUCETS
Turn off all exterior faucets and drain water from outdoor pipes, valves and sprinkler heads to prevent pipe bursts. One good thing that’s for sure, every new DECO home is equipped with frost-proof faucets, giving you peace of mind.
INSPECT HOME FOR GAPS & CRACKS, AND SEAL
Sealing the gaps and cracks around your windows and doors is essential to keeping your home warm and using less energy this winter. Any gaps wider than the width of a nickel between your siding and window or door frames should have caulking applied to them
REPLACE FURNACE FILTER
Your furnace will function more efficiently with a clean filter. A dirty filter with trapped lint, pollen, dust, etc., obstructs airflow and makes your furnace run longer to heat your DECO home. To keep your home nice and toasty and to help curb high electric bills, each new DECO home comes with a smart thermostat. Remember, keep your heat settings lower while you’re asleep and program it to raise just before you wake.
CHECK SMOKE & CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS
Test smoke alarms and vacuum dust from beneath the cover. If battery operated, replace batteries as per manufacturer’s instructions. If you follow none of the above suggestions or preparations, this ONE IS A MUST!
BRING IN THE OUTDOORS
During the winter, cold temperatures, snow and ice can damage outdoor furniture and grills. If possible, store them in the garage or basement. If you have a gas grill with a propane tank, close the tank valve and disconnect the tank first, and store outside. If you don't have storage space for your items, purchase covers to protect them from the elements. You also need to maintain your grill and cover it before putting it away for the season
CHECK THE ROOF
Inspect your new DECO home roof to make sure there aren’t any loose, damaged or missing shingles that can lead to water leaks. If you’re not comfortable climbing the ladder, you can try using binoculars to get a closer look, but you won’t see the entire roof. You may want to hire a reputable roof contractor – and with proof of insurance coverage, to conduct the inspection.
CLEAN GUTTERS
Cleaning your gutters of your new DECO home is a great way to allow water to easily flow down from your rooftops and away from your home, preventing damage to your foundation and ice buildup on your roof.
INSPECT GAS FIREPLACE
If your DECO home has a direct vent gas fireplace, you should have a full maintenance inspection; it is important to ensure that all vents are clean and that unburned fuel is properly venting from the fireplace.
Now you know, winterizing is a simple yet effective way of protecting your new home this coming snowy season. It's time to start winterizing your new DECO home!
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