Prepping Your Home for Winter

The winter months are quickly approaching, and winter assignments are going to start to pop up.  As you, like many, escape to warmer climates  for the winter, you are going to want to make sure things at your permanent home are ready for the winter months as well. 

It probably doesn’t seem like much preparation needs to go into your home while you are off on a travel assignment; however, the winter weather can bring many unexpected things.  To help prevent any ‘surprises’ when you get back to your home, follow these quick tips as you get ready for your next assignment.

Keep the heat on:  This may seem like odd advice considering you will not be home for potentially months; however, it is important to keep the heat on in your home.  Leave the heat on and set the temperature to around 55 degrees in order to prevent any freezing in the pipes of your home.

Clean out the gutters:  The spring, summer, and fall months can often leave debris in the gutters of your home.  It is important to make sure gutters are all cleared out to prevent any flooding within your basement as the snow melts away.

Apply Sealant: That beautiful deck you enjoy in the warmer seasons may not be so beautiful when you get back home.  Wood damage to decks can result due to melting snow.  Applying a sealant on the deck can help to prevent any damage so you can keep enjoying that deck once you return home.

Check the roof:  Roof leaks are most common during the winter months due to the snow sitting there for long periods of time.  Check your roof for any damaged or missing shingles to prevent leaks inside your home.

Plan ahead:  While you are away, make sure that someone you know and trust is able to scoop snow and check on your home for you.  If they will be using your snow removal equipment, tune up the snow blower and other equipment before you leave.  It will prevent a lot of messes knowing the equipment is working properly. 

Prepping your home for the winter months ahead can save you a lot of headaches in the long run.  Following these quick tips will help to assure your home is ready for the cold weather.  You will be able to enjoy the new and exciting adventure that lies ahead with your winter travel assignment.

2 comments

  1. Nice post. I just bought my first house a few months ago. My roof is already leaking so I am very worried about what could happen in the winter if this is not fixed now. I have a few friends that are roofers in Honolulu (http://www.heritageroofinghawaii.com/commercial)that are going to be here next week. I was thinking about asking them what I could do to fix my roof without having to replace the entire thing. I didn’t realize how important it is to clean your gutters. I should probably get on that. Thanks so much for the great information, this was very helpful since I am a new homeowner.

  2. Another tip for leaving your home for any long period of time, is turning off your main water valve- that way if you have a toilet leak or (God forbid) a broken pipe, you won’t have a mess when no one is there!

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