7 Ways to Prepare Your Home for the Winter
Mid-Missouri is known for its unpredictable weather, so when you own a home at the Lake of the Ozarks, you need to be prepared for just about anything at anytime. The Lake area's weather has turned out to be unseasonably warm for this time of year, but winter will eventually show up. Now is a great time to check a few things around your Lake of the Ozarks real estate to make sure that you are ready for the cold and snow.
Take a good look at both the inside and the outside of your roof. Check closely for any damage that needs to be repaired. Damage here can let both cold temperatures and melting snow leak into your home. While you are outside, clear the gutters so that ice and snow do not get trapped. Trim any overhanging branches that could fall onto the house too. Back inside, upgrade any insulation that is looking thin.
Water left in any pipes in Lake of the Ozarks second homes that are not being occupied can freeze, causing the pipes to burst. This is also true for outdoor spigots on every house. Busted pipes can equal huge water damage. Drain the pipes and shut off any water that will not be used. Also, disconnect garden hoses and store them indoors for the winter. Don't forget to drain any sprinkler systems, too.
Look closely at all of the weatherstripping around doors and windows. Fill in any gaps. Apply caulk to any cracks or holes that you find to seal out cold air.
Once you are positive it will no longer be nice enough to leave your windows open, replace all window screens with storm windows. This will help to keep the heat inside and the cold outside. Do the same with any screen doors.
Heat rises, and the simple act of setting your ceiling fan to turn clockwise will pull this warm air down into the room. This is especially helpful if your home has high ceilings.
Before you run your heat all winter long, it is wise to have a professional look the system over. Making sure that it is in good repair assures that it will last the winter. Regular maintenance also helps to prolong the life of your heating unit. If you have a fireplace, double-check that the chimney and all of the vents are clean and in good repair before lighting it up. You risk a chimney fire or possible carbon monoxide buildup if you don't.
Make sure you are ready for the first big snow before it hits. Have helpful items on hand and easy to get to, such as shovels, ice scrapers, roof rakes, ice melt, salt or sand, etc...
A little prevention can go a long way in making sure that the inside of your home stays warm, dry, and cozy all winter long. If you ever decide to sell your home, routine maintenance is the best thing that you can do to keep a house in its very best shape. Owning a home at the Lake of the Ozarks is a wonderful experience, full of every type of weather imaginable. Taking care of little things along the way prevents having to make huge, costly repairs unexpectedly.
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Inspect your roof.
Take a good look at both the inside and the outside of your roof. Check closely for any damage that needs to be repaired. Damage here can let both cold temperatures and melting snow leak into your home. While you are outside, clear the gutters so that ice and snow do not get trapped. Trim any overhanging branches that could fall onto the house too. Back inside, upgrade any insulation that is looking thin.
Drain pipes.
Water left in any pipes in Lake of the Ozarks second homes that are not being occupied can freeze, causing the pipes to burst. This is also true for outdoor spigots on every house. Busted pipes can equal huge water damage. Drain the pipes and shut off any water that will not be used. Also, disconnect garden hoses and store them indoors for the winter. Don't forget to drain any sprinkler systems, too. Search for drafts
Look closely at all of the weatherstripping around doors and windows. Fill in any gaps. Apply caulk to any cracks or holes that you find to seal out cold air.
Replace screens.
Once you are positive it will no longer be nice enough to leave your windows open, replace all window screens with storm windows. This will help to keep the heat inside and the cold outside. Do the same with any screen doors.
Reverse your ceiling fans.
Heat rises, and the simple act of setting your ceiling fan to turn clockwise will pull this warm air down into the room. This is especially helpful if your home has high ceilings.
Have your heating system inspected.
Before you run your heat all winter long, it is wise to have a professional look the system over. Making sure that it is in good repair assures that it will last the winter. Regular maintenance also helps to prolong the life of your heating unit. If you have a fireplace, double-check that the chimney and all of the vents are clean and in good repair before lighting it up. You risk a chimney fire or possible carbon monoxide buildup if you don't.
Stock up on snow removal essentials.
Make sure you are ready for the first big snow before it hits. Have helpful items on hand and easy to get to, such as shovels, ice scrapers, roof rakes, ice melt, salt or sand, etc...
A little prevention can go a long way in making sure that the inside of your home stays warm, dry, and cozy all winter long. If you ever decide to sell your home, routine maintenance is the best thing that you can do to keep a house in its very best shape. Owning a home at the Lake of the Ozarks is a wonderful experience, full of every type of weather imaginable. Taking care of little things along the way prevents having to make huge, costly repairs unexpectedly.
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