Cincinnati October 2022

ASK THE EXPERT
rea estate
HOUSE-WARMING 101:
The Best Home Projects to Prepare for Colder Weather
1. Clean your gutters - Poor water flow through
gutters and downspouts can lead to water
damage, roof damage, and ice dams. Gutters can
also collapse from too much weight. Once most of
the leaves have fallen is the perfect time to have
all debris removed from your gutters. Even gutter
guards require some maintenance. Don’t neglect
cleaning out your window wells too!
2. Service your HVAC system - The best time
to have a winter service completed on your HVAC
system is before extreme weather hits. Regularly
changing air filters is also recommended for
optimal furnace efficiency and indoor air quality.
3. Inspect your roof - Your roof is your best
defense against winter weather. Using a reputable
roofing company to inspect your roof annually is
also a best practice. Missing shingles, nail pops,
and aged plumbing boots can all be repaired
rather easily and will extend the life of a costly
roof. Neglecting these items can lead to potential
roof leaks and interior property damage.
4. Clean your fireplace/chimney - Woodburning
fireplaces need to be kept clean to safely
burn a fire in the winter. Hire a professional to
inspect your fireplace and chimney to be sure your
firebox and chimney can safely provide winter
warmth to your family in the colder months.
5. Winterize sprinklers and hoses - Shut
down and drain your irrigation system to prevent
freeze damage to the pipes. All garden hoses
should be disconnected from water spigots and
drained for winter storage.
6. Prepare your lawn - Fall is the ideal time
to prep your lawn for the spring. Remove fallen
leaves to prevent lawn damage over the winter.
Aeration and fertilization are two of the best
practices to ensure you enter the spring with a
healthy lawn.
7. Seal and caulk around windows and doors -
Colder weather can strain your heating system. Most
homeowners do not regularly caulk their windows, yet
doing so frequently can help prevent more heating loss.
8. Clean/replace outdoor lighting/bulbs -
Consider cleaning outdoor fixtures to maximize
exterior lighting during the darker winter months.
Upgrading to LED bulbs and fixtures will help to
lower your energy costs.
9. Test carbon monoxide detectors - Batteries
in carbon monoxide detectors should be
changed yearly. Carbon monoxide alarms are
recommended on every level and outside of
sleeping areas. Consider upgrading your alarms
if it has been more than 6 years since you last
replaced them.
10. Winterize your lawn mower/equipment -
Either drain the gas from your equipment or use
fuel stabilizer to protect the internal parts from
any damage. Stabilizer will keep the gas in good
condition over the winter. Run your mower for at
least five minutes after adding stabilizer to allow it
to reach the carburetor.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ellie Kowalchik, a real estate agent with Keller Williams Pinnacle Group, leads Cincinnati’s top-ranked Move2Team. A multi-million
dollar producer and company sales leader, she holds the advanced designations of Seller Representative Specialist, Certified
Residential Specialist, as well as e-Pro with a focus on technology. She has also been named one of America’s Best Real Estate
Agents by RealTrends for the past 5 years.
Have real estate questions you’d like to see answered in a future edition of Ask the Expert?
Give Ellie a call at (513) 616-2323 or email her at Ellie@Move2Team.com.
HTCI0922.020