How to Winterize Your Lakeland House When the Weather Starts Getting Cold
It’s about time to winterize your Lakeland home! As the temperature begins to drop, it’s important to take certain steps to keep your property safe. Therefore, here are some tips on how to winterize your Lakeland house for those cold winter months.
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Block the Cold
Make sure that you have proper caulking and weather strips around your windows and door frames to prevent any cold air from seeping in. Also check that there is proper ventilation in your attic to avoid heat loss. Likewise, this will help you save big on your power bills.
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Bring in Your Plants
Be sure to bring in any plants that you want to save during the cold winter months. It is generally best to do it before the first cold strike hits, preferably before the temperature will dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Properly Store Your Gardening/Outdoor Tools
If you expect a lot of snow and rain this winter season, you should plan to store all of your gardening tools and other outdoor equipment away in a covered area. Likewise, this includes any grills, outdoor furniture, or hoses that you do not want to get ruined by the elements. Keep them in a place that you can easily pull out next spring.
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Change Your Furnace Filter
Your furnace will function properly when the filter is clean. Likewise, if your filter is dirty and there is too much dirt and debris trapped in it, it will take the furnace longer to do its job and heat your home. Therefore, a general rule of thumb is to change out your filter every three months, but even more importantly when you know your furnace will often be running during the cold season.
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Check Your Roof
When you live in a cold climate, you should make sure to check on your roof before the snow comes. Clear out leaves and debris that have collected on the roof and inspect it for any shingle damages or leaks. It’s also important to trim large tree branches that could get in the way of letting the snow slide off of your roof.
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Clean the Gutter
Cleaning the gutters is a step that should not be ignored during winter prep. To prevent them from clogging, be sure to clean out all leaves and dust that have fallen. It’s a good idea to do it right up until the last leaves fall in the autumn to make sure that everything is ready to go before the snow and ice hits. If you prefer not to do a deep cleaning on your gutters, you can consider getting gutter guards.
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Get a Good Thermostat
Because your heater will most likely run all winter, you will want to have a working thermostat for a well-insulated home. Therefore, we recommend getting a programmable or energy efficient one to help you save money on your energy bill. Energy.gov says that to save energy in the winter, you should set your thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and turn it down a little while you’re asleep or not at home.
Too Overwhelmed? Contact a Cash Buyer!
Lastly, when preparing to winterize your house, you may find that there are more repairs needed than you anticipated. If you’re stressing about how to pay for it all, that could be a good sign that it’s time to move on and sell your Lakeland home. This is where we step in. At Homebuyer Tampa, we buy houses in any condition and can close on your timeframe. Fill out the form below, or give us a call at 813-296-6200 for more information!