Preparing Your Home for Winter

With the chilly evenings upon us it is a good reminder that summer is gone and winter will soon be approaching. This time of the year is a good time to do some basic home inspection and touch-ups that will prepare you home as you head into winter.

Throughout the year shrubs, trees, and bushes have grown and some are in need of a trim. As a general rule it is a good idea to maintain an 18-inch gap between the foundation of the home and plant life. It is also very important to make sure that the soil near the foundation slopes away from the home so drainage does not cause damage or leak underneath your home.

When checking your foundation look for signs of rotten wood or deteriorating brick. If you do find such things it would be a good idea to contact a professional contractor to have the issue investigated thoroughly.

Once you have inspected the foundation and removed any foliage that has grown to close you want to direct your attention upward. Start with checking the gutters, remove any clogs, leaves, and sprouting plants. Visually inspect the roof for damaged or missing shingles. Catching damage or worn shingles early on can save a lot of money if repaired promptly.

Caulk and paint are two of the best labor and money saving solutions of all when it comes to home maintenance. Check your window frames for signs of peeling and missing caulk and re-caulk if necessary. If the paint on the home is looking worn and peeling you may consider freshening it up with a new paint job.

To wrap things up you should have your heater inspected and serviced once a year. Make sure the filters are clean and free of debris so your family will be warm all winter long.

Doing maintenance on a seasonal basis not only helps keep homes in good shape and yards looking nice, but it makes it simpler to get things done because they tend to take less time when done on a regular basis and you will reap the rewards of pride of ownership and peace of mind.

Jason is a life long resident of Boise, Idaho and provides real estate information on the Boise Idaho Real Estate for buyers, sellers, and investors. Visit BoiseRealEstateInfo.net to get started.