Fall is here, and before we know it, we’ll be in the firm grip of winter. While temperatures are still fairly mild and the sun is just about visible, it’s a good idea to make sure your home is ready for the arrival of chilly weather and unpredictable conditions. Here are simple tips to help you protect your home come rain or shine.
Keeping warm
Temperatures have taken a tumble, and in a matter of weeks, most of us will be relying on our heating systems or an open fire to keep the chill at bay. With winter approaching, now is the time to arrange a visit from your local contractor and check that everything is working properly. If you have issues with your heating system or you’re thinking about replacing your furnace or water heater with a newer, more environmentally-friendly system with a ductless heat pump, now is the time to make the call. You don’t want to wait until it’s snowing outside to discover that you’ve got no heating or try and survive another winter of paying out hundreds of dollars in energy bills. As well as getting your furnace and radiators checked over, it’s a good idea to make sure your home is well-insulated. Gaps, cracks, and holes can lead to heat loss. Take a trip to the local hardware store and buy tape, insulation sheets for windows or brushes to go along the bottom of the door or investigate loft or cavity wall insulation.
Staying dry
Flooding is a risk all year-round in some parts of the country, and many of you will have seen horrific images caused by hurricanes and storms over the summer. Sometimes, the sheer force of Mother Nature is impossible to combat, but there are steps you can take to try and prevent water damage. If you live in an area prone to flooding, stock up on sandbags, keep valuable items upstairs and look into using flood-resistant materials. It’s also wise to clear your gutters, trim your trees back and make sure there aren’t any holes in the roof before winter sets in.
Protecting your investment
There are things you can do to protect your home, but sometimes, it’s impossible to prevent damage, and this is why insurance is so important. If your home is damaged by water, fire or hurricane-strength winds, claiming on your insurance will enable you to cover the cost of repairs and replace items that may have been lost or broken. Before you sign any contracts or agreements, read the details of the policy very carefully, especially if you live in an area where adverse weather conditions are commonplace.
For most of us, our homes are our favorite place to be. It makes sense that you would want to protect your most valuable, precious asset. With winter on its way, now is a great time to think about what you could do to protect your home from the elements and ensure you stay warm and dry this winter.