With the extreme dip in temperature that Austin, Texas has been recently experiencing, Mary Lynne Gibbs and The Gibbs Team thought you would find our Top 10 Winter Tips useful!
The long holiday weekend ahead is a great time to get a few winterizing projects done before the Austin winter season REALLY hits! Of course, we might be wearing winter coats one day and shorts the next…you just never know!
However, the following ideas can help avoid a disaster from happening, as well as save you money when you turn on the heat!
Top 10 Winter Tips:
Clean the gutters. Leaves and debris can cause problems if a freeze happens. They can hinder proper drainage, as well as put unnecessary weight on the gutter if it then fills with ice.
Wrap outdoor pipes. Any exposed pipes are prone to freeze, so it is best to wrap them with insulated coverings or heat tape. Hoses should also be drained.
Check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Batteries should be replaced and alarms should be tested.
Reverse ceiling fans. The blades should be turning clockwise in order for warm air to be pushed down during the winter months.
Check the furnace. Turn on the furnace before the coldest day arrives. It’s always a good idea to have an HVAC professional inspect the furnace to make sure it’s in working order.
Trim the trees. Make sure tree limbs are not hanging too close to the home or to electrical lines because they can cause extreme damage during a freeze.
Seal window and door leaks. Go through your home on a breezy day and see if you feel drafts coming through any of your windows and doors. If so, you can seal them up with door sweeps, caulking and weather stripping.
Set your furnace temperature on 55 degrees. When you leave for a weekend or an extended stay always make sure you keep your furnace on in the winter in case a freeze happens while you are away.
Ensure the fire extinguisher is not expired.
Call a chimney sweep. Chimneys are fire hazards if not cleaned properly. Make sure a chimney cap is placed on the top of the chimney to keep out birds and rodents. Inspect fireplace damper to make sure it opens and closes properly.
Mary Lynne would be honored to serve you in all of your real estate needs. Please let us know how we can help! You may call us at 512.431.2403 or email us at austinluxurybroker@gmail.com!
We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends!
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