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Vincent, Is it too late or too early to "Winterize" my home?

By
Real Estate Sales Representative with Prudential Douglas Elliman Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

 Absolutely NOT!!

When I first moved into my house I was oblivious to the fact that homes need to be winterized. As a result my first winter there was a very cold one and my heating cost went thru the roof. I was able to do a few things here and there but the major things could not be done as they require to be done on the outside of the house.

First thing is first. 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.

If you are selling a home, you want to know about such potential hidden problems before your house goes on the market. Almost all contracts include the condition that the contract is contingent upon completion of a satisfactory inspection. And most buyers are going to insist that the inspection be a professional home inspection, usually by an inspector they hire.

Old Man Winter is settling in for a long chilly season.

Outside you'll want to:

  •  Look for deteriorating finishes. Minor problems can be patched to preserve the wood. Put bigger jobs, such as scraping and refinishing painted or stained areas, on the calendar for next spring or early summer.
  • Caulk joints and minor cracks on exterior walls and siding. (pic to the right)
  • 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. Make sure you have the right kind of gas and oil on hand for your snow blower in the case of an unexpected snowstorm.
  • 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, or put out for yard-waste pickup.
  • Clean storm drains, gutters and other drain pipes.
  • Check the foundation for proper drainage. To do this, spray yard with a hose to see if water runs away from the house. A little shoveling to reshape the earth next to the house may make the water run away from the foundation.
  • 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.

Here's what you'll want to do inside:

  •  Have your furnace system serviced to ensure it's working efficiently and not emitting carbon monoxide. (pic to the right)
  • Clean permanent furnace filters and replace paper or disposable filters.
  • Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
  • If you have a fireplace, have your chimney swept thoroughly. It should be cleaned before the soot build up reaches one-fourth inch thickness inside the chimney flue.
  • Check your hot water heater for leaks and maintain proper temperature setting (120 degrees recommended by Department of Energy). On older water heaters with less insulation, for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit you lower the temperature, you save 6 percent of your water heating energy.
  • 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. Inadequate ventilation could lead to premature deterioration of the insulation materials. You may also need to check insulation in exterior walls, crawl spaces and along foundation walls.
  • Check all windows and doors for air leaks. Install storm windows and putty, caulk or add weather stripping as needed.
  • 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.

Before the temperatures dip too far south, follow these simple guidelines to winterize your home and save money on utilities.

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net Highest Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

Comments(20)

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Charlottesville Solutions
Charlottesville Solutions - Charlottesville, VA
excellent points and many people do not take proper action and then ask why did this break?
Nov 12, 2007 10:02 PM
DDR Realty
DDR Realty - Newburgh, NY
Orange County NY
Winterizing a home helps to save money. With the prices of fuel being what they are today homeowners need to save where ever and however they can.
Nov 12, 2007 11:24 PM
Billnulls Blog Florida Realty Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
AHWD
Great information for those living up in those colder states - information that really helps!!!!
Nov 13, 2007 03:16 AM
Vicente A. Martinez
Prudential Douglas Elliman Licensed Real Estate Salesperson - Woodhaven, NY
Realtor, Brooklyn - Long Island - Queens Homes

Charles- An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure, isn't it? Thanks for the comment.

Derrick- Absolutely. Every dollar saved counts.

Bill & Barbara- Yes. This is info that could help save hundreds of dollars (in homes that haven't been winterized).

Nov 13, 2007 04:23 AM
Krista Fuchs
Prudential Fox & Roach - Exton, PA
Chester County Realtor - (484) 459-8025 - Home Buying and Selling

Great tips, thanks!

K!

Nov 13, 2007 08:42 AM
Vicente A. Martinez
Prudential Douglas Elliman Licensed Real Estate Salesperson - Woodhaven, NY
Realtor, Brooklyn - Long Island - Queens Homes

K- Thanks for stopping by and checking out this post. See you around.

Nov 13, 2007 08:43 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
Vincent, I think it's never too early to winterize the home. Better early than late. Good points.
Nov 13, 2007 08:53 AM
Vicente A. Martinez
Prudential Douglas Elliman Licensed Real Estate Salesperson - Woodhaven, NY
Realtor, Brooklyn - Long Island - Queens Homes
Gary- Great minds think alike. Winterizing the home can be done on the hottest day of summer (caulking doors and windows or replacing them). Waiting until the first snowfall can leave the exterior vulnerable to sub-zero winds that will create a draft that will be short of glacial.
Nov 13, 2007 09:31 AM
Suzanne Sands
Pavao Real Estate - Somerset, MA
Somerset MA Real Estate

Vincent,

This is great advice, its getting pretty cold out there better be safe than sorry. :)

Nov 13, 2007 01:55 PM
Frank Harris
Keller Williams Realty Centre - Columbia, MD

Nice post, I am looking into purchasing energy saving windows, gas and electric is off the charts.

Nov 13, 2007 02:27 PM
Vicente A. Martinez
Prudential Douglas Elliman Licensed Real Estate Salesperson - Woodhaven, NY
Realtor, Brooklyn - Long Island - Queens Homes

Suzanne- Thanks for the comment. Ne York winters are pretty harsh, and you know what they say "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure". Winterizing should be done be the temperature goes below 45 degrees.

Frank- That will certainly help reduce the cost of staying nice and warm this winter and many winters to come.

Nov 14, 2007 01:51 PM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

Oh Man...

I just bookmarked this one Vincent.

It sure beats my silly to do list :)

TLW...ROAR!

Nov 15, 2007 10:38 AM
Bob Elliott
Elliott Home Inspection - Chicago, IL
Chicago Property Inspection

Hey Vince ...Good post , and as a Licensed Home Inspector I give you my gold star.

I have a feeling you might be my competition if you left Sales.

I have got to take off a few points for not using a better looking Home Inspector however.

Bob Elliott

Nov 15, 2007 01:36 PM
Vicente A. Martinez
Prudential Douglas Elliman Licensed Real Estate Salesperson - Woodhaven, NY
Realtor, Brooklyn - Long Island - Queens Homes

TLW- Thanks for stopping by and bookmarking this post. I love your posts and I'm glad you commented.

Bob- Thanks for the compliment. You don't have to worry about the competition... I'll never leave sales or should I say listings. If you have a better pic for me to use in this post I'll be happy to include it and add a link to your site.

Vicki- Checking the caulking around windows is overlooked by most homeowners. If your meticulous it could take a while but it's well worth it.

Nov 15, 2007 03:23 PM
Elizabeth Nieves
The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group - Durham, NC
Bilingual Raleigh - Durham North Carolina Real Estate Team

GREAT post!! You know...winter IS sneaking up. (We have a little bit more time to enjoy the warm weather down here in NC than you guys UP THERE. ;-)

I love your writing style...it makes the information even more appealing.

Blessings!! (Stay warm!)

Nov 16, 2007 02:30 AM
Vicente A. Martinez
Prudential Douglas Elliman Licensed Real Estate Salesperson - Woodhaven, NY
Realtor, Brooklyn - Long Island - Queens Homes
Elizabeth- Thanks for the compliment. I'll see you around.
Nov 16, 2007 03:42 AM
Mesa, Arizona Real Estate Mesa Arizona Realtor
Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC - Mesa, AZ
AzLadyInRed

Vincent, great post. Though I live in Arizona - where it is in the high 70's today - I completely agree about using a good home inspection company. I always recommend them to my buyers.

http://www.GlitterMaker.com/ - Glitter Graphics

Nov 16, 2007 10:21 AM
Vicente A. Martinez
Prudential Douglas Elliman Licensed Real Estate Salesperson - Woodhaven, NY
Realtor, Brooklyn - Long Island - Queens Homes
Teri- I always recommend my buyers use one. It gives them peace of mind. It also helps to cover me from anything that I may not be aware is wrong with the property.
Nov 16, 2007 10:39 AM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!
Hi Vincent, great advice and tips on getting ready for the inevitable.  Nice post Vincent.
Nov 16, 2007 10:59 AM
Vicente A. Martinez
Prudential Douglas Elliman Licensed Real Estate Salesperson - Woodhaven, NY
Realtor, Brooklyn - Long Island - Queens Homes
Gary-  New York winters are very harsh and those who aren't prepare will end up paying (gas prices are still rising). Thanks for the comment.
Nov 16, 2007 11:57 AM