Winter's coming...is your house prepared?

Hard to imagine winter is right around the corner with all of the nice warm weather we've been having. But as we all know, Colorado weather can change in an instant, which makes this the perfect time to get ready for those coming changes!

Here are some of my recommendations to prepare for the colder months ahead.

1. Sprinkler System.

• If you have a sprinkler system, remember you have to winterize the system by shutting it down and blow out the water from the lines. You can hire someone pretty inexpensively or DIY if you have a large enough air compressor.

• Normally, I do this around late October, but if there are freezing nights before it's winterized be sure to shut off the sprinkler water supply and cover the backflow with an insulated blanket.

2. Clean your gutters.

• Leaves in the gutters can cause a blockage in the downspout causing water to build up in the gutters. When this water freezes it expands and can start working its way up under the shingles (this is one main reason new building codes require an ice shield at least 3 feet up under your shingles!).

• Be careful, maybe its best to hire this one out or try some of the gutter cleaning tools available.

• Be sure you also have extensions on the bottom of downspouts to keep the water away from the foundation.

3. Insulate pipes.

• Many older homes and even some newer ones have basements, crawlspaces, or cellars that are very susceptible to cold temperatures.

• Seal up any places cold air can enter, close crawl space vents and check for pipe insulation. A majority of the time these changes will do the trick, but in extreme cases you can consider pipe heating cables.

4. Remove hoses from the hose bibs.

I like to make it a common practice to disconnect the hose anytime I use it starting in October thru March. Again, freezing water expands and needs to go somewhere.

5. Service Furnace.

• This is a perfect time to have your furnace serviced by a qualified professional to ensure it is ready and safe for the winter months ahead.

• Based on personal experience, the worst thing you don't want happening is your furnace deciding to breakdown on one of the coldest days of the year. You'll end up paying higher emergency repair costs along with trying to figure out how to stay warm until the furnace repair people can make it out.

6. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors.

• Test and replace the batteries in all of the smoke and CO detectors throughout your home.

• If you don't have any, go out and get some today. THESE SAVE LIVES.

• Did you know that state law requires any house sold to have a working CO detector within 15 feet of every bedroom?

7. Maintenance Ideas

• Check the caulking around your windows and doors. If it's cracked, replace it.

• Touch up any peeling paint.

• Add weather stripping where needed.

• Remove that bird nest on your porch light!

8. Stock up on the booze

• A little humor for making it through all of my recommendations! :)

As always, let me know if you have any real estate questions.

Stay safe out there and please wear a mask!