As a native Texan I have worn shorts on Christmas more often than not. However in Austin we do get some cold weather. Typically we get more freezing sleet and ice than real snow. So I am providing some tips to help you prepare for the upcoming in-climate weather.
- Caulk around your windows and doors to seal up any gaps. This will prevent the warmed air from escaping and keep the cold air out of your home.
- Insulate you hot water heater. There are thermal blankets available at Lowe's and Home Depot and they are very inexpensive.
- Clean out the gutters on your home. Removing leaf debris will allow the heavy rains to be directed away from your home and prevent flooding. When it does rain in Texas it is usually a significant rain event that can cause flooding if your not prepared.
- Add additional insulation to your attic, this will help to hold in the warmed air. The ideal R-value is 30 or higher. The older your home is the more likely your existing insulation has compressed and lost R-value. You may choose batt insulation or the new recycled "blown-in" insulation, both work wonderfully to reduce your homes energy consumption both during winter and summer months. Add a few batts of insulation and watch your electric bill drop!
- If you have a fireplace, you should have it cleaned by a chimney sweep to ensure there is no creosote buildup and ensure the flue functions properly.
- Get your HVAC system checked out by a professional to ensure that it will work when the cold weather hits. Better to be prepared than left in the cold when its too late.
- Now is a great time to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and make sure your fire extinguisher is up to date.
- Insulate your water pipes and make sure you have faucet covers for all outside faucets and showers.
- Trim away any dead branches or tress in your landscape. If a storm comes the weak branches will snap and could damage your roof or power lines.
The key to successful winterizing is simple. All of these things can be done in one or two weekends, or you can hire a service to take care of these things around your home.
If you would like more information on south Austin homes or Lake Travis homes, please contact me. I have lived and worked in Austin for over twenty years. I have spent nearly 30 years sailing and swimming in Lake Travis. My background is construction, both high end residential and commercial. I can assist you with a home or land purchase anywhere in Travis county. My other areas of expertise are Lake Travis/Lakeway, Lake Pointe, Shady Hollow, Granada Hills, Barton Hills/Zilker, Northwest Hills and Dripping Springs. I look forward to the opportunity to earn your business!
Betina Foreman REALTOR - Your best bet in Austin real estate!
Keller Williams Real Estate 1801 S. MOPAC, Suite 100 Austin, TX 78746
512-771-6318 BetinaForemanREALTOR@Yahoo.com Betina@BetinaForeman.com
Member of: Austin Board of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, ActiveRain.com, Trulia and Zillow.
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