Preparing Your Home For Winter In Upstate New York

  Preparing Your Home for Winter in Upstate NY As the temperature starts to drop and the leaves change color, it's important to start thinking about preparing your home for winter. Upstate NY winters can be harsh, with snow, ice, and cold temperatures that can take a toll on your home. Here are a few tips to help you get your home ready for the winter: 1. Insulate your home. Make sure your attic, basement, and crawl spaces are properly insulated. This will help to keep your home warm and reduce your energy bills. Seal any air leaks around windows and doors. Install weather stripping and caulk around windows and doors. Consider adding a door sweep to your exterior doors. 2. Protect your pipes. Wrap exposed pipes with insulation to prevent them from freezing. Let your faucets drip slightly to prevent pipes from freezing. Open cabinets under sinks to allow warm air to circulate around pipes. If you have a vacation home, make sure to drain the pipes before you leave for the winter. 3. Clean your gutters and downspouts. Remove leaves, twigs, and other debris from your gutters and downspouts. Install gutter guards to prevent debris from accumulating in your gutters. Clean your gutters and downspouts twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring. 4. Trim your trees and shrubs. Trim trees and shrubs that are close to your house to prevent them from falling on your home in a storm. Remove dead branches that could fall and damage your home. 5. Inspect your roof for damage. Look for missing or damaged shingles. Check for leaks around chimneys and vents. Have a professional inspect your roof if you are unsure of its condition. 6. Stock up on winter supplies. Make sure you have enough snow and ice melt on hand. Stock up on sand for traction on icy walkways. Have a shovel and a snow blower on hand to clear snow from your walkways and driveway. Have a flashlight and batteries on hand in case of a power outage. 7. Winterize your outdoor equipment. Drain the gas from your lawnmower and other outdoor equipment. Bring your outdoor furniture indoors or cover it with a tarp. Disconnect your hoses from your outdoor faucets and drain them. 8. Make sure your heating system is in good working order. Schedule a tune-up with a qualified HVAC technician. Change your furnace filter once a month. Check your carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working properly. By following these tips, you can help to protect your home from the harsh winter weather and ensure that your family is safe and comfortable all season long.

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