HOME WINTERIZATION TIPS

Is Your Home Ready for Michigan Weather?
The weather is suppose to be in the low 70’s today, however, it could be in the low 50’s tomorrow or next week.  Where do we live?  Yup, that’s correct, Michigan and we love it here.

Echelon Homes builds new homes in some beautiful communities and we are lucky to enjoy all four seasons in Southeast Michigan.  However, sometimes that does occur in one 24 hour period, no really it has…

This makes me think about home winterization tips.  We all want to do these projects when the weather is nice.  As a home builder in Michigan and home owners ourselves, we know how important it is to take care of our homes, stay warm during those cold winter months and save some money while doing so.  We wanted to share some easy ideas to prepare your home for those cold days.

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Winter Home Maintenance Tips:

• Clean those gutters.  Are there little trees growing out of them?  Well, remove the debris and make sure that the rain and snow can flow freely to the ground.  If not you may risk the possibility of water seeping into your home.  Don’t forget to make sure that the downspouts are moving water away from your home.
• Caulk, caulk.  Yes, buy some caulk or add weather stripping around windows and doors to stop drafts from getting into your home and freezing you out.
• Turn your furnace on now before Old Man Winter gets here and you find yourself in need of some help.  Also buy furnace filters and check them regularly throughout the winter.
• Have a professional clean your furnace and air ducts.  It is worth the money you will spend because you will hopefully save it in your heating bill.
• Have your roof inspected by a professional for loose shingles or leaks.
• We need a sweater sometimes during the cold months and your pipes can use a wrap as well.  Wrap, or insulate exposed pipes in your basement.
• Turn off the water to outside hoses if they are not frost free spigots.  Also bring in the hose for the winter.
• Reverse your ceiling fans so warm air is pushed down and recirculated.
• Nothing worse than waking up in the middle of the night to a smoke detector with a bad battery.  Check and replace batteries.
• Buy a carbon-monoxide detector.  Better yet get one for every floor of your home.

Have any other home winterization tips?  Please share…

Article by: Jennifer Elkow