10 Ways to get Your Greater Cleveland Home Ready for Winter

Even though it feels like summer outside, this is the perfect time to get your house ready for Winter.  Here are Some Great tips to prepare your home.

1)      Get your Furnace inspected.

•          Fall is the best time of year to get your Furnace inspected.  Call a HVAC professional to do this and also have them clean the ducts.
•          Make sure you have plenty of furnace filters and change them monthly.
•          Remove all flammable material for the area surrounding your furnace.
•          If you home is heated by a hot-water radiator, bleed the valves by opening them slightly and when water appears, close them.

2)      Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

•          Change the batteries in all your smoke detectors. 
•          Install a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace.
•          Test all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide and make sure they work.

3)      Check Doors and Windows for Drafts

•          Add weather-stripping or caulk any holes that allow heat to escape.
•          Make sure doors seal properly
•          Switch out summer screens with storm doors and windows
•  

4)  Trim Trees and Remove Dead Branches

•          Ice, snow and wind could cause weak tree trunks or branches to break you don’t want them to land on your roof or worse hurt someone walking on your property

5)      Clean Gutters and Downspouts

•         Use a hose to spray debris away in gutters and downspouts.
•          A major cause for roof leaks and basement water is clogged gutters.

6)       Turn Off Outside Water Valves

•          Once water is off make sure to open nozzle outside and flush out any remaining water

7)       Inspect your roof

•          Fix any roof shingles or tiles
•          Check flashing to ensure water cannot enter the home

8)      Service Weather-Specific Equipment

•         Drain Gas from Lawnmowers
•          Service or tune-up snow blowers.
•          Replace worn rakes and snow shovels
•          Clean, dry and store summer gardening equipment

9)       Insulate

•         MSN reports why this is necessary 

10)   Prepare an Emergency Kit

•          Buy indoor candles and matches/lighter for use during a power shortage
•          Find the phone numbers for your utility companies and tape them near your phone or inside the phone book
•          Store extra bottled water and non-perishable food supplies, blankets and a first-aid kit in a dry and easy-to-access location

Greater Cleveland Homes for Sale  How much is your Greater Cleveland Home

For more information on the Greater Cleveland housing market or if you are looking to buy or sell a home in the Greater Cleveland area please contact Erin Snyder Oakley at 216-410-8221 or email Erin@NoPlaceLikeCleveland.com