10 Tips to Help you Prepare for Winter By, Danielle Thomas

Now is the time of year when we wake up to glazed over windows and frost on the ground…winter is right around the corner!  There are some easy maintenance items you can do to keep your home nice and cozy all winter long.  These are only tips to help you, please consult licensed professionals for any further assistance.
1. Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses and turn off exterior water sources.  You can usually find the shut off valve for your outdoor faucet in your basement.  This will prevent the faucet from freezing and bursting during the cold months.
2. Insulate around the foundation and exterior walls of your home. This not only helps to keep your heat in, but also serves to keep unwanted visitors out!  Foam insulation works great for this task and can be painted in the Springtime to blend in with the clapboards or foundation.
3. Put on Storm Windows.  If you have single pain windows, now is time to remove your screens and put on your storm windows.  If your storm windows are already on, be sure to slide down both the top and bottom storms to help avoid heat loss.  If they seem stuck or are hard to pull down, try a little WD40 help it slide into place.  This is also the time to close your basement windows.  Ventilation in the basement is great during Spring & Summer months, but as fall and winter approach, keep your heat in and close those basement windows!
4. Top of your fuel tank and change the furnace filter.  It is very important to keep you fuel tank at least 1/2 full all winter long.  Check your gauge regularly, as although you may be on automatic delivery, fuel companies do forget!  If you have a seasonal home and don’t drain the pipes, hire a property manager or call a neighbor to check your fuel tanks while you are away.  Keeping your oil tank half full will avoid sludge getting into the nozzle, causing the furnace to malfunction.  This may also be a good time to have your furnace serviced if service is due.  This is also a good time to check all of your heat grates or baseboard heating elements are clear of obstacles to ensure proper heat flow.
5. Protect your lawn equipment. After your mow your lawn for the last time, winterize your lawn mowers, trimmers, tractors, etc.  Use a fuel stabilizer in all of the equipment, remove and charge batteries before storage.  This will help to ensure that all of your lawn equipment will run smoothly in the Spring.
6. Clean and check chimney.  Whether you hire a professional or do this yourself be sure it gets done!  This is a safety must!
7. Stock up on non-parish-ables, batteries and candles. You never know when a big storm will hit!  This will keep you well prepared in any situation.
8. Store outdoor furniture.  Clean up and store your outdoor furniture.  If you do not have an indoor storage space, cover them tightly with a tarp.  This will prolong the use of your outdoor furniture.
9. Stack and cover wood.  If you burn wood during the winter you will want to ensure that it stays dry.  Stack and store your wood in a dry, easily accessible place.  If you do not have a shed to keep your wood in, cover it with a tarp.  Wet wood is not only harder to burn, but less efficient.  Keeping your wood dry will make your job much easier!
10. Be sure to have a snow removal plan.Whether you have someone to plow your driveway or shovel and snow-blow yourself, be sure you keep access to your property clear all winter long.  This includes your driveway and walkways to all doors.  This will not only save you time, but also keep access for emergency vehicles.