Tag: how to winterize

Tips to prepare your home for a winter storm in Portland Oregon

Posted on by Nicole Chavira

Tips to prepare your home for a winter storm

  • Keep your house heated to a minimum of 65 degrees.
  • Know the location for the main water shutoff in your home.
  • Insulate your exterior water lines to prevent freezing.
  • Let your faucet drip to prevent a pipe burst.
  • Stock emergency food, water and supplies.
  • Bring your fur babies inside!
  • Freshen up your weather-strip and caulking along doors and windows.
  • Cover windows with plastic from the inside if you do not have double pane windows installed.
  • Open your cabinets.
  • Trim tree branches that could fall on your home or other structures and vehicles during a storm.
  • If you are using a fireplace, wood stove, or a kerosene heater, be sure to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to be sure they are working properly.
  • Keep your fireplace flue closed when you’re not using it.
  • Locate your fire extinguisher and keep it nearby.
  • Ask a neighbor to check the house regularly any time you’re away.
  • Clear gutters of debris to allow runoff from melting snow and ice.
  • Watch for ice dams near your gutter downspouts to prevent water build up that can cause water intrusion.
  • Run your swimming pool pump at night.
  • Keep your garage doors closed.
  • Stay informed by signing up for your local emergency alerts.
  • Cover your container plants with compost, mulch or old blankets and towels.
  • Place your hanging plants on the ground and cover them.
  • For renters, try to touch base with your landlord if you’re unclear on what are tenant responsibilities and what are landlord responsibilities.
  • Keep your sidewalks and entrances to your home clear of snow and ice.

Home Winterization Tips

Posted on by Erika George & Kari McGee

As our Pacific Northwest winter weather approaches, it’s important to take some preventative measures to protect you and your home. Winterizing is a task that can help save you money on energy bills, increase the comfort of your home and can be relatively inexpensive.

Then if you are having radiators fitted it’s also very important to get your electric radiator installation done professionally as that will be much safer and likely give a better performance too.

Here are some helpful tips:

 

Be Prepared

  • Purchase a snow shovel now, so you’re ready before winter weather arrives.
  • Have rock salt/deicing agents on hand.
  • Prepare an emergency kit that includes water, non-perishable food supplies, blankets and a first-aid kit. Don’t forget food for any pets!
  • Double check the operation of smoke detectors, CO detectors and fire extinguishers.

 

Heating System

  • Replace filters in your home’s HVAC system to increase efficiency. You can click to read more to find an efficient HVAC system.
  • Test run your heating system in advance.
  • Hire a certified technician to inspect and maintain your furnace.
  • Reverse ceiling fans so that they force warm air downwards.

 

Gutters and Downspouts

  • Clear gutters and downspouts.
  • Inspect, secure and repair any loose or leaking gutters.
  • Install leaf guards to keep falling leaves and debris out of gutters.
  • Trim back tree branches and shrubs from the home.

 

Plumbing and Faucets

  • Drain and turn off outdoor faucets and irrigation systems.
  • Install insulating covers to exterior faucets.
  • Inspect exposed plumbing (particularly in older homes) in areas like basements or crawl spaces that may not be insulated.
  • Add pipe insulation as needed to prevent them from bursting.
  • Consider adding a sump pump in basements that are prone to moisture.

 

Doors and Windows

  • Inspect doors and windows to ensure there aren’t any gaps.
  • Caulk or apply weatherstripping around problem areas.
  • Install double paned windows or apply plastic film to increase energy efficiency.

 

Roofing, Chimneys and Decks

  • According to Roofing service Lancaster Ca, it’s important to inspect your roof and replace any damaged shingles or flashing.
  • Make sure your chimneys and wood stoves are cleaned early in the season.
  • Give your deck a new coat of sealer to protect it from the winter elements.

 

Thanks Julie Fisher, business development representative at First American Title, for sending us these home winterization tips!