Fall Means Winter is Around the Corner: Get Your Home Ready for the Cold & Snow
While we love fall with all its colors and crisp air, we know the early morning smoke rising from chimneys and reemergence of the pumpkin spice latte will quickly lead to feet of snow built up in yards and powder days that leave the whole town pulsing with excitement. The opportunity to enjoy the mountains in the winter is one of the reasons we call this place home, but we recognize that the extreme temperatures and heavy snowfall require home preparations that aren't always the norm in more temperate climates. For those of you new to town or those who have lived here for years, we've put together some helpful reminders for getting your home winter-ready this fall!
CHECK YOUR HVAC SYSTEM
Replacing the HVAC filter (and a humidifier filter if you have one) is a great way to prepare your system for winter each year. Having the system serviced to check for leaks, corrosion, dirt, and debris once a year is always helpful to prevent issues throughout the long winter.
SURVEY DOORS & WINDOWS FOR GAPS
Although they might be a non-issue in the summer, even minor gaps in doors and windows can significantly impact your heating costs it the winter. Seal what you can and consider upgrades in more problematic areas--you'll be grateful in the long run!
CLEAR OUT YOUR GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS
An oft overlooked preparation for winter, clearing out gutters and downspouts is a simple way to prevent issues all winter and even in the spring. Leaves, sticks, and dirt can clog up your gutters. To prevent dangerous snow and ice dams and allow for clear flow of snowmelt in the spring, make sure your gutters and downspouts are clear before winter comes.
INSPECT YOUR ROOF
While you're cleaning out your gutters, take some time to visually inspect your roof for issue like leaks (or have you contractor take a look). Areas like skylights can be especially problematic, so it's important to take a look before the snow flies!
HAVE YOUR CHIMNEY CLEANED & INSPECTED
The snow and cold means you'll likely be using your wood-burning stove or fireplace pretty consistently! If you have one, schedule an inspection and cleaning this fall. We all know curling up by the fire on a blustery day or after hours on the mountain is something dreams are made of. Be prepared and keep your home safe this winter so that you can enjoy your time by the fire.
WINTERIZE YOUR OUTDOOR SPACES
October is full of beautiful days, but you're likely to wake up to a couple feet of snow on your new patio table here and there! Be prepared by putting patio furniture away and clearing off clutter. We've all found a worse-for-wear treasure on the porch after the snow melts in the spring. Bring it in now so you can keep enjoying it in the summer. And remember to scrub your grill and drain your exterior pipes and hoses!
BLOW OUT SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
Make sure your sprinkler systems are blown out before freezing temperatures settle in. We know you want your outdoor spaces to thrive in the summer, so take this precaution early so you can make it through the long winter without a broken or frozen pipe!
PROGRAM YOUR THERMOSTAT
We know it's a little early, but it might be wise to set your thermostat at a minimum temperature now as a precaution. If the mercury dips dramatically, you can rest assured your pipes won't freeze. As winter progresses, it could be helpful to invest in a smart thermometer to help save on energy bills.
DUST THE INSIDE OF YOUR HOME
Summer in the mountains means fresh air and open windows! While we would never close our windows to avoid dust in the summer, we know that means we'll have a healthy coat of dust come fall. It's a great time to give everything a once over before you close up your space for winter.
TEST SECURITY SYSTEMS & CHANGE OUT BATTERIES
Everything is a little more challenging to take care of in the heavy snow and colder temperatures, making fall a great time to test your security systems, smoke detectors, and carbon-monoxide detectors. It's also a great practice to change out batteries for all your systems once a year, saving you that middle-of-the-night "What's beeping?!" scenario!
BE READY!
Just like you prepare for winter by getting your skis tuned and pulling out your down coat, your home needs preparation, too. Taking a few precautions now can save you issues down the road! Please reach out if you need recommendations for professionals to help you prepare for winter!
Posted by Leah Bishop on
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