Winter is right around the corner and it's important to winterize your home well ahead of time, not only to protect your home from the elements, but to also get a jump-start on the winter market for Sellers. Check out these essential tips for winterizing your home against the winter conditions and keep your home cozy and comfortable all season long! 

Insulate and Seal: Proper insulation and sealing are key to keeping your home warm and energy-efficient during the winter months.

• Check your home's insulation in the attic and walls. If it's outdated or insufficient, consider adding more insulation.
• Inspect doors and windows for gaps or cracks and seal them with weatherstripping or caulk to prevent drafts.
• Consider using draft stoppers or door sweeps to seal gaps at the bottom of exterior doors.

Protect Pipes: 

• Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas, such as the basement, garage, or crawl spaces.
• Install heat tape or cables on pipes that are at risk of freezing.
• Allow a small stream of water to run from a faucet in extremely cold weather to keep water flowing and prevent freezing.

Ensure your heating system is in working condition to keep your home warm and comfortable:

• Schedule a professional inspection and maintenance of your furnace or heating system.
• Replace air filters regularly to maintain good air quality and energy efficiency.
• Consider installing a programmable thermostat to regulate the temperature efficiently.

Clean Gutters and Downsprouts: Snow and ice can wreak havoc on your home's drainage system and lead to potential water damage. To prevent this, you can keep your gutters and downspouts clean by doing the following: 

• Remove leaves and debris from gutters to prevent blockages.
• Ensure downspouts direct water away from the foundation of your home.
• Install gutter guards to prevent clogs and ice buildup.

Inspect and Maintain Your Roof: 

• Clear debris and leaves from the roof to prevent ice dams.
• Ensure your roof is in good repair, replacing any damaged or missing shingles.
• Consider adding extra insulation in the attic to prevent heat loss through the roof.
• Seal Air Leaks

Seal All Leaks: Air leaks around windows, doors, and other openings can waste energy and make your home feel drafty. 

• Use caulking or weatherstripping to seal gaps around windows and doors.
• Inspect and seal any gaps or cracks in the exterior walls, foundation, and attic.
• Winterize Outdoor Faucets

How to Winterize Your Outdoor Faucets: It's important to winterize outdoors too! You can do this by: 

• Disconnecting and drain gardening hoses.
• Shutting off the water supply to outdoor faucets.
• Installing frost-free outdoor faucet spigots if possible.

Winterizing your home is essential to protect your property and keep it comfortable during the harsh winter months. By following these steps to insulate, seal, and maintain your home, you can ensure that your residence is prepped to withstand the challenges of the winter season and keep you and your family warm and cozy!