Winterizing Your Home

Whether you are buying or selling a home, you should have a professional home inspection performed.

A home inspection will look at the systems that make up the building such as:

• Structural elements, foundation, framing etc
• Plumbing systems
• Roofing
• Electrical systems
• Cosmetic condition, paint, siding etc

If you are buying a home, you need to know exactly what you are getting. A home inspection, performed by a professional home inspector, will reveal any hidden problems with the home so that they may be addressed BEFORE the deal is closed. You should require an inspection at the time you make a formal offer. Make sure the contract has an inspection contingency. Then, hire your own inspector and pay close attention to the inspection report.

Likewise, if you are selling a home, you want to know about such potential hidden problems before your house goes on the market. It's better to pay for your own inspection before putting your home on the market. Find out about any hidden problems and correct them in advance. 

Inside Your Home

• Have your furnace system serviced to ensure it's working efficiently and not emitting carbon monoxide.
• Clean permanent furnace filters.
• Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• If you have a wood stove or fireplace, have your chimney swept thoroughly. 
• Check your hot water heater for leaks.
• Check the attic to see if insulation needs to be added or replaced. This is the most significant area of heat loss in many homes, so it is also important to see that it has proper ventilation.
• Check all windows and doors for air leaks.
• Check basement and cellars for seal cracks or leaks in walls and floor.
• Make sure all vents are clean and operating properly.
• Clean and vacuum baseboard heaters, heating ducts and vents.
• Remove or winterize air conditioning units.

Outside Your Home

• Store or cover outdoor furniture, toys and grill.
• Purchase rock salt for melting snow and a shovel or snow blower if you don't already have one.
• Caulk joints and minor cracks on exterior walls and siding.
• Look for deteriorating finishes. Minor problems can be patched to preserve the wood.
• Drain and shut off sprinkler systems and other exterior water lines to avoid frozen and broken pipes. Leave all taps slightly open.
• Insulate exterior spigots and other pipes that are subject to freezing but can't be drained or shut off.
• Rake and compost leaves and garden debris.
• Clean storm drains, gutters and other drain pipes.
• Check the foundation for proper drainage.
• Make sure dirt or piles of wood don't come into contact with or touch siding, inviting termites and carpenter ants into the house.
• Seal driveway and walkway cracks, if needed, before ground freezes regularly.
• Inspect the roof for loose, damaged or missing pieces.
• Check attic vent openings for nests or other blockages.