Prepare Your Home for Winter

by Mark Miller, Lake Oswego, Oregon Realtor®

With winter settling upon us it's time to prepare your home for the cold.

The tasks aren't overwhelming when you tackle them one at a time.

This list is not all inclusive, just some of the things I think of as we head into the cold weather.

• Shut off and drain outdoor faucets when you think a hard freeze is coming
• Learn how to turn off water at its source so you can stop leaks immediately if they start
• Take care of known issues with pipes that freeze. Heat tape can be used to keep them warm during extremely cold weather
• Close foundation vents when really cold weather is expected
• Drain garden hoses, roll them up, and store them inside
• Set sprinkler system to “off”, turn off water and drain the pipes
• Clean gutters and downspouts
• Trim tree limbs that are hanging over or touching the roof
• Cover outdoor furniture or store it inside
• Have chimney inspected and cleaned
• Close fireplace damper when not in use