Winterizing your House

Winterization refers to the process of preparing something for an upcoming winter.

Winterizing your home is something you can do to prevent numerous potential issues. Here are a list of things you can do to help Winterize you home:

• Check and Test Heating Equipment (Have a Licensed Contractor such as RRE, check your unit)
• Bleed air out of lines for Radiator Heating; If Applicable
• Check Fireplace Damper for proper operation
• Check Fireplace for obstructions, if needed have a professional clean for you
• Inspect Exterior Doors and Windows for cracks and holes along the framing. These areas will allow tons of air through and need to be sealed.
• Seal Entry doors with weatherstripping if you see light or feel air coming through
• Check attic insulation; If you can see the joists, then you do not have enough. You should have at least 12″ of insulation
• Clean Gutters free of leaves and debris. Take water hose and spray through downspout to ensure proper flow
• Rake away and remove any leaves or debris from side of housing and expose foundation wall
• Check foundation wall for cracks all the way around your house. Any that are found need to be seal before water seeps in
•  Close and Secure Crawlspaces
• Check and Test Smoke Detectors, if any issues at all, replace with NEW.
• Check and Test Carbon Monoxide Detectors, if any issues at all, replace with NEW.
• Locate Water Main Shut Off Valve. If you have things blocking the valve, remove them. (If you need help locating the valve, see our article on Locating your Main Water Valve)
• Insulate any expose water piping. Exposed piping that is not insulated takes a HIGH chance of freezing and bursting.
• Isolate and Drain all Hose Bibbs
• Drain any Spas or Pools
• Trim any branches hanging too close to the house or near power lines. This will help keep your power in a nasty winter, well at least it will help you do your part.
• Reverse fans to winter mode. Fan should be turning clockwise during this mode.

Those all are tips to help you get your home prepared for the winter. If you were to leave you home or have a vacant house you would need to isolate your main water valve and drain the entire house. You can do this by shutting off the water valve and then opening all faucets, hose bibbs and flushing the toilets. Once the water is off there will be nothing to freeze in the pipes. You should then turn off your water heater breaker to ensure it doesn’t burn itself up.

For more information on Winterizing your home or if you would like Revived Real Estate to handle your winterization needs contact us at 703-772-4992.