With possible snow arriving in the Annapolis area this week, now is a good time to prepare your vacant home for winter weather emergencies as well as cold weather throughout the season. Whether it’s for your primary residence or a second home you’re leaving vacant, here are some suggestions to prepare your house for the winter:
Tips to get your home ready for winter
- Prepare your plumbing. – Ensure your pipes are set up to withstand the cold. For pipes that run against the exterior walls, and that have limited insulation, consider investing in a set of insulation sleeves. These will add a layer of insulation to your pipes that can further prevent damage. You can also use slip-on foam pipe insulation.
- Clean out gutters and clear the roof – Before the first heavy snowfall, be sure to clear debris from your roof and gutters to prevent a buildup of ice and snow
- Have your heating system serviced – Having your HVAC system serviced before you leave for the season is important, so cold temperatures don’t cause a bigger issue like a burst pipe.
- Adjust your thermostat – It’s important to keep a vacant house at a temperature well above freezing; the standard is between 55- and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Adjust Your Ceiling Fans –You can winterize your home and save in the process by ensuring your ceiling fans move in a counterclockwise direction.
- Check for drafts – Checking for drafts and leakage will help cut down on the work your furnace has to do by keeping cold air out
- Keep rodents out – Be sure you’ve removed all food from your pantry before vacating the place, so pests don’t have something to feed on if they do get inside.
Annapolis Home Concierge Can Help
If need help with your vacant home this winter, we can help. With Annapolis Home Concierge’s home watch service, we care for your home as if it were our own. It’s our job to be your eyes and ears and to not only notify you of potential problems that may arise but to help you take care of any issues as well.
We go over your home using our multi-point checklist. Once completed we send a report with suggestions and updates. We’ll coordinate service personnel, let them into the home, watch over their work, and report back with photos and recommendations. Contact Annapolis Home Concierge at 443-807-5010 to see how we can watch over your home during the winter months.