Winters’ Coming Are You Ready?

By Michael Hughes

When you buy Boulder real estate certain seasons require attention. Winter being one of them. We live in such a great place and owning a house in Boulder is such a blessing. Winter is coming and a little deferred maintenance is in order. You know the stuff you put off because you wanted to put in more miles on your road bike with your buddies? Well it is ready and waiting. With just a few hours of focused attention you can knock this out in no time at all.

1. Clean your gutters. Remove dead leaves and hose out those gutters (if it’s warm enough) so ice doesn’t build up and to make way for melting snow . Check for leaks and misaligned seams, and be sure the downspout is moving water away from your foundation.
2. Block leaks. Caulk windows, weather seal doors, insulate recessed lighting, and electrical outlets. Find the leaks, then seal properly inside and outside. The average American home has leaks that equal a 9-square-foot hole in the wall.
3. Insulate. Most homes don’t have the 12-inch minimum of attic insulation – if you can see the joists (10 or 11 inches high) then you can save heating money by adding more insulation. If you’re layering on top of an old layer, be sure to avoid the kind with paper backing – it can act as a vapor barrier and cause moisture and mold and mildew problems.
4. Check the furnace. Turn it on before it gets really cold to make sure it’s working properly; it may omit a strong smell for a short time, if it lasts for long call a professional. Furnaces should be cleaned and tuned annually.
5. Get your ducts in order. The US Dept of Energy tells us up to 60% of heated air can be lost if ductwork is not well installed or insulated. Check the ducts where you can see it, and fix gaps and pinched pipes. Also be sure to vacuum out ducts at least every few years to remove old dust, animal hair and other junk that can cause respiratory problems.
6. Face your windows. Switch out the screens for storm windows if you have them. If your windows are leaky or drafty, plan to replace them over time, but for now use a window insulator kit (plastic sheeting covering window interior) as a low-cost solution.
7. Check your chimney. Better done in the spring, chimney cleaning and inspection is not wasted this time of year. Especially if you have a wood stove, check that your chimney is working and clear of debris, and add a protective cap on top next year if you don’t have one yet. And of course close that damper after each use to keep your warm air inside.
8. Reverse that fan. Enjoy that warm air you’ve paid for by pushing it down from the ceiling.
9. Wrap those pipes. A frozen, burst pipe will be a nightmare, so prevent it by properly insulating pipes ahead of time. Make sure the water is turned off to any outdoor spigots, and the lines are draine
10. 10.  Check those alarms. While you’re at it, this is a great time to check the operation and change the batteries on your home’s smoke  and carbon monoxide detectors.

Call me if you have any questions about this article or anything Boulder.Michael Hughes. Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty-Boulder  www.BolderRealEstate.com or you can reach me or TEXT me at 303-359-6627