Winter is best enjoyed in a toasty atmosphere. Do you realize how much money you can save by properly winterizing your house every year, especially when you are not even using your home during the winter?  So, we gathered a few tips that you can use to winterize the house before the holidays this year. You can save money on heating costs, avoid expensive repairs down the road, and prevent accidents like house fires by winterizing your home. In case you face some difficulties, you can always call up professional home winterizing services to get things done more safely and smoothly.

Preparing the home for the winter:

  • Avoid cold drafts (and high heating costs) by inspecting and replacing worn weather stripping and sealing any cracks in windows and doors. Peel-and-stick window insulation film is not the most aesthetically pleasing solution, but it can prevent up to 70% of heat loss through old or drafty windows.
  • Remove any ash or soot buildup from your chimney by performing a thorough inspection. Fire hazards, such as cracks, should be checked and fixed. Check for drafts in the fireplace as well. If you find yourself shivering, even when the damper is closed, it may be time to get it fixed or replaced. You can prevent unwanted visitors from entering your home through the chimney by purchasing a chimney balloon and placing it in the opening when you are not using the fireplace. You should understand the fine line between the things you can do and tasks that should be left to the professional house cleaning services.
  • Replace, or clean, your furnace filter before firing up the heater for the season. It’s also smart to schedule annual maintenance on your heating system with a professional. An experienced HVAC technician can also help if you have no idea when your heating ducts were last inspected for leaks and efficiency.

Now for the outdoors:

  • Cleaning out the gutters and downspouts is the first step in preparing the outside of your home for winter. Problems with the foundation, walls, and ceilings can be brought on by water that backs up because of clogged gutters, and insects can be brought in by the resulting breeding grounds. But don’t worry, you can always count on our professional gutter cleaning services. We use power washing tools to ensure there is nothing clogging or living inside your gutters during the winter.
  • Snowfall can be difficult for a roof that isn’t in good condition overall. Check for things like cracked caulk, rust spots, missing, broken, blistered, or curling shingles, and extensive patches of moss and lichen before the winter months set in. When shingles become damaged, come loose, or go missing, they must be fixed immediately if you want to make it out of winter without a problem.
  • Planning will get you everywhere. You’ll always be happy you did when things turn for the bad. Make sure your snowblower’s bolts, belts, and parts are in good working order; check the condition of your snow shovel; stock up on ice melt or sand; and consider purchasing a snow rake to assist in clearing snow from your roof. When snowfall rates on a roof exceed 20–25 pounds per square foot, it can cause structural damage.

It might feel like a good idea to save a few bucks by doing everything yourself at first, but if you miss out on something important, it might end up costing you far more. Make the responsible decision and contact the right house cleaning and Property Management professionals.

And if you are living in the Hamptons, then give A Votre Service a call. We know exactly what your house needs.