Winterizing tips for your home and yard

Yep....it's that time of year again and boy did it come fast here in New England. 80 degrees and humid one day and 44 degrees the next night. Hello Fall.....nice to see you again. I decided to put together a list of 'to-dos' around the house and yard that homeowners should keep in mind as we transition into, gulp, the winter.

Yard/Outside:

• It's a great time of year to overseed and repair any bare lawn patches. (see my other posts on seed varieties).
• Rake and clean the yard. Don't leave leaves, pine needles, and other debris on your lawn prior to snowfall as it will choke out the grass. Consider hiring a landscape company for a fall cleanup. Some companies even have 'lawn vacuums' that will make your lawn pristine!
• Clean the gutters. Leaving debris and leaves in gutters can cause ice dams. Trust me, they are not fun and can do major damage to your roof and potentially cause serious leaks and water damage.
• Inspect the exterior of your home. Give it the once over: doors, windows, foundation roof, siding. Look for any noticeable damage or issues with seals. It's better to find issue now than wait.
• Drain your garden hoses and shut off the main valve. Then leave the exterior valve in the open position. I like to add an insulated cover to the valve for protection (they can be found easily at Lowes)
• Clean your outdoor equipment (mowers, tillers) and have them serviced so they are ready to go in the Spring. For those with riding mowers consider bring the battery inside for the winter- it will lengthen it's life by 2-3 years! Also prep your snow blower if you have one. Be prepared (like the Scouts)
• Seal driveway cracks (blacktop caulk or sealant works very well) Also consider having your driveway sealed if it is due

Inside:

• If you have a fireplace, have it serviced and cleaned if it is due. Bring some wood inside
• Consider having your furnace cleaned and inspected as well. If you have NSTAR they have excellent service plans that are fairly affordable.
• GIve your interior a once-over: windows, doors, and any other seals. Look for visible cracks and space where cold air can penetrate inside. Use weatherstripping on doors if necessary.
• If you have baseboard heat, remove the top panel and vacuum inside thoroughly.
• How is the air quality? Remember- your home is generally sealed tight during the winter months and that is when viruses are prevalent. Consider an air purifier or a larger system for those that have forced air heating. The results are significant!
• Do you have a programable thermostat? Consider one of them. Having the heat kick on before you get up but lower at night can save big bucks and make your home much more comfortable during those nippy mornings.
• Is your hot water heater in an insulated area? Consider a hot water heater blanket. They cost about $15 and wrap around the heater saving up to $40-50/season.

Good luck and stay warm folks! If you need more advice or have questions, just ask! I'm also available for home energy audits and can show you how to save money on heating upgrades.