Tips to Winterize Your Home

During the winter months, your home may need some help in dealing with the elements. To ensure it stays at its best all winter long, check out these winterizing tips from Schutt Law.

Get Your Home Ready for Winter

Winter weather isn't the most friendly, especially when it comes to your home. Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do to prepare for whatever winter throws your way. To ensure your home is ready for the season, use these tips.

If you're buying a new home, you're not protected if you don't have title insurance in Fort Myers. To learn more about title insurance, contact the experts at Schutt Law. Give them a call at (239) 540-7007 to get your questions answered.

Clean Out Your Gutters

It's no secret that the winter months often come with lots of rain and sometimes snow. Because of this, it's important that you take the time to clean out your home's gutters. Since these can fill up with debris during the fall, think fallen leaves and dirt, this task is a must. The debris can pile up and make it harder for rain water to drain properly during a storm. These clogs can lead to backups which will then make the gutters fill up and get heavy. They can then break off your home and lead to pooling water around the foundation. This is easy to avoid by simply cleaning them out and running water from your hose through them to be sure there are no clogs anywhere.

Take a Close Look at the Roof

While you're up there cleaning out the gutters, don't forget to also inspect your roof. Again, the rain and snow can lead to issues here if your roof isn't in great shape. Look out for missing shingles, broken parts, and other issues that can lead to leaks in the roof. If you're not comfortable going up on your roof to spot fix these issues, it's a good idea to call the pros. They can quickly patch up your roof so that you can enjoy the first rains rather than stressing over potential leaks.

Insulate Areas That Are Exposed

The winters are known for being cold, but this doesn't mean you have to sit in a cold home all season long. It's not uncommon for cold air to get into the home through the attic, so be sure to check that you have plenty of insulation in there to prevent this. Ideally, your insulation should be 10 to 14 inches deep, so check that the insulation you do have meets that requirement. Use it on the attic floors and place a cover on the stairways or entryway that leads to your attic to prevent losing the warm air provided by your heating system.

Get Your Heating System Serviced

Speaking of your heating system, now is the time to get it serviced. Since the winter can make your home uncomfortably cold, you want to be sure your system is ready and safe to use. Test it out to be sure it works and call a professional service to have it maintained. This will give you the peace of mind you need to use it all winter without being paranoid that it will malfunction or be unsafe to use.

Be sure to purchase title insurance in Fort Myers to protect your investment. To learn all about the importance of title insurance, contact the friendly experts at Schutt Law at (239) 540-7007.

Prepare Your Fireplace

If you have a fireplace in your home, the winter months are the perfect time to take advantage of this amenity. Of course, you will first have to clean it so that it's safe to use. If you haven't cleaned it since you used it last winter, it can have buildup on the walls which can be flammable and make it unsafe to use. You can take care of this cleaning yourself or hire a professional to do the work for you.

Seal up Your Home

Avoid wasting money on heating your home this winter by ensuring all the cracks and holes around your home are properly sealed. While checking the insulation in your attic, look out for holes around vents and wires that can let cold air in and let warm air escape. Around the exterior of your home, check the windows and doors for cracks and holes that can also be letting the cold in. Use caulk to fill all of these holes and keep your home warmer all winter long.

Put Away Outdoor Items

Finally, if you're expecting a harsh winter, don't forget to store outdoor items that can be damaged. You may have patio furniture that is fine to be outside, but that may not be true in the winter. Instead of risking damage, grab these items and store them indoors until the weather gets nicer.

Protect your home investment with title insurance in Fort Myers. The title insurance experts at Schutt Law can answer all the questions you may have. Give them a call at (239) 540-7007 to get your questions answered.