What you can do now to get your home ready for winter

Boise river with forked tree autumn reflections

Winter can be a tough time of year for homeowners, especially those who may be navigating a new climate! The good news is: it doesn’t have to be! With the help of House Logic, we’ve compiled a list of easy things that you can do now to help get your home ready for winter here in Boise, whether it’s your first or your fiftieth.

 

  1. Remove garden hoses from faucets

If hoses are left attached to outdoor faucets, water left in the hose and faucet could freeze, expand, and crack the faucet or pipes.

Bonus tip: add an outdoor faucet protector to ensure that no cold air gets into your pipes.

2.  Seal air leaks

Grab a couple of tubes of color-matched exterior caulk from a nearby hardware store and take a quick trip around the exterior of your home, sealing cracks between the trim and siding, around windows and door frames, and where pipes and wires enter your house. This quick-fix will help ensure that moisture doesn’t get inside your walls.

3. Clean out your gutters

Clogged gutters can cause ice dams, which can lead to expensive repairs. After a majority of leaves have fallen, clean your gutters to remove leaves, twigs, and whatever else may have found its way there. Be sure to check that your gutters aren’t sagging and trapping water.

4. Eyeball your roof

Inspect your roof from the ground to check for shingles that are buckled, cracked, or missing, and any rust spots. Damaged shingles should be replaced as soon as possible.

5. Check your furnace

Schedule an appointment with a heating and cooling professional to get your heating system checked and tuned up for the upcoming season. Don’t forget to change your furnace filters, as well.

6. Give your fireplace a once over

Grab a flashlight and look up inside your fireplace flue to make sure the damper opens and closes properly. Open up the damper to make sure it is free of birds’ nests, branches, leaves, etc. You should be able to see daylight at the top of your chimney.

7. Prune plants

The best time to prune plants is late fall, as this is when the summer growth cycle is over. The goal of pruning is to keep limbs and branches at least 3 feet from your house so that moisture won’t drip onto your roof and siding, and to prevent any damage to your home’s exterior in the event of high winds.

8. Program your thermostat to align with your schedule.

For more detailed information about how to get your home ready for winter, click HERE and HERE to check out House Logic.

Ready to learn more about living in Boise?
Call, text or email Kami 208.713.1933 | kami@o2realestategroup.com 

Click HERE to check out our current listings! 

 

 

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