Get ready for winter! Winterize your home checklist.
You know how winter arrives in New England… It’s 60 degrees and sunny one day and then a Nor’easter arrives the next bringing high winds and often snow. This winter season be prepared!
Checklist:
- Have you had your heating systems/generator serviced recently?
- Paint, caulk, and seal exterior surfaces.
- Have a plan to rake and remove leaves if they are not being mulched while mowing (which is better).
- When last was your chimney cleaned? Do you have enough firewood?
- Do you have sufficient fuel supplies for heating?
- Do you have an emergency 5-day kit and plan for a potential power outage or blizzard?
- Seal masonry and hard surfaces.
- Change batteries for smoke alarms and smoke detectors or set a date to do so if your systems are not hard-wired.
- Schedule a date to shut down your pool.
- Schedule a date to shut down irrigation systems and drain exterior pipes/faucets. Mark all shut-off valves clearly for future ease of use.
- Check your trees for weak or dead limbs that could break easily with the weight of snow/ice/wind and remove them. Don't prune/shape trees until later in Winter.
- Store all equipment and sharpen tools early for the spring use.
- Check your home for energy leaks that could reduce your heating bills.
- Stock up on supplies for snow and ice removal and confirm your plowing schedule/contract.
- Do you have an updated list of emergency numbers to call?
- Do you have a power back-up for your phone/electronics?
- Cover or store outdoor furniture.
- Plan a date to mark your driveway for the snow blower.
- Reverse ceiling fans.
- Test your sump pump.
