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Winter Maintenance Musts

By Amy Patterson

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The worst of winter is right around the corner and there are a lot of things that most people already do to prepare; things like purchasing a new ice scraper, coat or anti-freeze are common, but what about your home?

There are things you can (and should) do to prepare your home for winter.

1. Chimney – If you have an active chimney, have it cleaned once a year (before winter). This will prevent build up and keep your chimney in safe, working order.

2. Water heater – It may seem contradictory, but heating your water heater can actually save you about 9% in heating costs. Purchase a proper sized insulation blanket and wrap it around the water heater. 

3. Foundation – Inspect the foundation of your home and seal any cracks where heat could escape.

4. Roof – Prevent ice dams by installing ice shields on your roof.

5. Thermostat – If you haven’t yet, check out smart thermostats. These nifty devices control the temperature in your home automatically – adjusting it as you come and go.

 

Source: Zillow

Tags: Home Maintenance, Winter