Getting your home ready for winter

Brought to you by Cathyann Cusimano, Realtor at Virtuous Real Estate

Getting Your Home
Ready for Winter
Roof Inspection
• Clean Gutters
• Insulate and Seal Windows
• Seal and Inspect Doors
• Evaluate your Heating System
• Clean Chimney
• Winterize your Landscaping
• Emergency Preparation
•

Cathyann Cusimano
Virtuous Real Estate| 408-472-6091
www.southbayrealtypro.com
DRE# 01411651

Get Your Roof
Inspected
A professional roof inspection can
identify roof damage while it still
costs hundreds, instead of
thousands, of dollars to fix.
Walk around the house exterior
inspecting the roof for signs of
damage, sagging, and aging.
Inspect roof for missing, damaged,
and aging shingles.
Old asphalt roofing shingles may
show curling, cracking, tears, or
loss of texture. Look for slate and
clay tiles with cracks or chips. Aged
wood shingles with heavy moss,
wood rot, or lifting may need
replacement.

Cathyann Cusimano
DRE# 01411651

Clean Gutters
Proper cleaning involves more than
just throwing easy-to-reach leaves
out of the channel. Get a ladder
and use a garden trowel to scoop
out decaying leaves and wet muck
that is lining the gutters. It is safer
to rest a wheelbarrow by the ladder
to toss leaves and muck into than it
is to lose balance from holding yard
waste bags while you clean.
Finish by flushing your
downspouts with a hose and spray
nozzle. Keep an eye out for any
signs of gutter deterioration.

Cathyann Cusimano
DRE# 01411651

Insulate and Seal
Windows
If you don't already have doublepane windows, it’s time to take
down the window screens and put
up storm windows, which provide
an extra layer of protection and
warmth for the home.
If you simply can't afford it, use
thick plastic covers or blankets to
help out in the meantime. And
regardless of the number of panes,
take a look at your window frame.
It may need new sealant.

Cathyann Cusimano
DRE# 01411651

Insulate and Seal
Doors
Some homeowners pay so much
attention to their windows that
they forget their doors.
Take a look at your entry door for
air leaks. Buy door sweeps to close
spaces under exterior doors, and
caulk or apply tacky rope caulk to
those drafty spots
Take a look at your garage door,
too, for both insulation and home
security value.

Cathyann Cusimano
DRE# 01411651

Evaluate and
Maintain Heating
System
Catching problems with your
heating system before winter hits
almost always saves you money.
Turn on your furnace now to make
sure it is working, this will give
you some time to make any
necessary repairs.
A dirty filter impedes air flow and
reduces efficiency. Change the
filter, no matter the age or
condition of your system.

Cathyann Cusimano
DRE# 01411651

Clean your Chimney
A chimney should at least be
inspected before use each year to
clear any foreign objects and to
determine if the chimney needs to
be cleaned.
Buy a protective cap for your
chimney, with a screen, to keep out
foreign objects (birds, tennis balls)
as well as rain that can mix with
the ash and eat away at the
fireplace's walls.
Keep out cold air by keeping the
chimney's damper closed when the
fireplace isn't in use.

Cathyann Cusimano
DRE# 01411651

Winterize your
Landscaping
Just because you'll be spending
most of the winter indoors doesn't
mean all your maintenance is on
the home itself.
Rake leaves, prune trees and
shrubs, remove old plants from the
garden and fertilize lawns.

Properly close your swimming
pool, winterize your sprinkler
system, and prepare your garden
for next year's planting.

Cathyann Cusimano
DRE# 01411651

Emergency
Preparation
Test smoke alarms

Handy supply of candles, batteries
and flashlights
Clean leaves, pine needles and
other debris from drains near your
home to keep street flooding away
from your driveway

Cathyann Cusimano
DRE# 01411651

Visit www.southbayrealtypro.com
site and look around at the many
resources available to you. If you
would like to know the property
value of your home, please call me
for a consultation at 408-472-6091.

Cathyann Cusimano
DRE# 01411651

Getting your home ready for winter

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Featured

Featured (20)

Getting your home ready for winter