TEXT Anslie Stokes
Now that the seasons have turned and we’ve also turned
back the clocks, it’s time to winterize your home as we
brace for colder weather ahead. Preparing now will help
you avoid costly repairs and maintain your home’s value.
Here are 8 ways to get your abode winter-ready.
1. Change your smoke detector batteries. Safety experts
4. Change your furnace filter. A clean air filter helps your
unit run efficiently and improves your air quality. During the
winter heating season, check the filter each month and change
when dirty.
5. Switch fans to run in reverse. Remember that warm air
rises, so don’t forget about using your ceiling fan to bring that
warm air back down. Flip the switch so that your fan turns in a
clockwise direction and run it at low speed.
recommend changing your smoke detector batteries once
a year, and you might also want to consider installing smoke
detectors with batteries that are good for 10 years, and then
replace the detector every 10 years.
6. Remove and store window air conditioning units. Tak-
ing out your window A/C unit will not only help keep the unit in
good operating condition, but by being able to fully close your
window, you will keep the warm, heated air inside and the cold
winter air outside.
2. Clean your gutters. Especially in areas with a lot of trees,
make sure your gutters are clean and clear to allow water to
flow into downspouts and away from your home’s foundation.
If leaves build up in your gutters, they can potentially cause
7. Landscape checkup. Check your trees and remove any
dead limbs to prevent branches that could fall and potentially
damage roofs, porches, decks, cars, etc.
problems, including leaking roofs and water damage inside and
outside of your home. Clogged gutters also make nice homes
for rodents and other pests.
3. Check your fireplace and chimney. If you have a
8. Drain outdoor hose spigots. We may not be thinking
about ice and freezing pipes yet, but as you finish up your gar-
den chores, remember to detach garden hoses, drain the pipe
and close the shut-off valve.
fireplace, safety experts recommend having it cleaned and in-
spected on a yearly basis. Before you spend your nights in front
of a cozy, warm fire, make sure you don’t have to worry about
a potential fire hazard. Call a reputable chimney sweep to have
your fireplace and chimney inspected and cleaned.
48 December 2016 washingtonFAMILY.com
Anslie Stokes is a McEnearney Associates top-producing
Washington, D.C. real estate agent. Visit her website at
www.stokesrealtor.com or contact her at 202-270-1081;
Anslie@StokesRealtor.com.
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