Getting Your Home Ready for Winter

Christmas is coming, but so are Nor’Easters! With the first snowfall of the Rhode Island winter already in the bag, get your home ready for the season with these essential winter home maintenance tips from RISE Real Estate Consultants! 

Check the gutters
Get the ladder out and clear your gutters of debris to prevent ice dams from forming. Install gutter guards and ensure no animals have set-up home over the summer.

Insulate the pipes
Identify pipes that could be susceptible to freezing, and protect them with layers of insulation. Good insulation materials include foam and rubber. Top tip – add frost blankets to pipes that are above the ground. 

Seal any cracks
Caulk gaps and openings to prevent excess cold air finding its way into your home. Install seals and weather stripping around windows, doors, and mail boxes.

Test fire, smoke, and carbon detectors
Residential fires are more common in winter than in any other season. Ensure that all of your smoke detectors work. A good rule of thumb is to check your fire, smoke, and carbon detectors monthly and replace batteries as soon as they lose their power. 

Emergency release pressure valve
Consider adding an emergency pressure release valve to your home’s plumbing system. This will not only protect against the increase in pressure caused by frozen pipes, but also can prevent a frozen pipe from bursting.

Check the heating system
Boilers, furnaces, and chimneys are needed the most in the winter. Make sure you have a smooth season of use by keeping to a regular serving schedule. RISE recommends having your home heating system checked at least once a year to remove any buildup that may have occurred and to keep all the various mechanics running efficiently.

Tend to the yard
Trim any trees and remove dead branches – snow, ice, and wind can weaken trees and cause branches to fall. Also, remove garden hoses, shut off the valves, and insulate the faucet.

Keep on top of the driveway
Clear the driveway and any walkways after each snowfall. Use snow and ice melt to help prevent further build-up. Our safe snow melt guide can help you pick the best one for your family’s pets.

Fed-up with the winter grind? Maybe a condo is for you! Contact a licensed RISE Real Estate REALTOR® and begin the search for your dream home in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Because luxury isn’t a price point. It’s a level of service