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10 Tips For Preparing For Boat And Rv Storage

People are constantly concerned about storing their boats and RVs, regardless of the season. The winter season’s especially problematic for homeowners who want these more oversized vessels/vehicles to stay functional even after being stored for a couple of months. From spoiled batteries and mildew growth to creeping rodents and sneaking bandits – storage facilities for boats and RVs are marked by many significant problems. So, how to ensure that your boats and RVs are functional when you embark upon some new exciting adventures for the springtime? We’ve compiled a bundle of suggestions here to help you realize how to store your vessels/vehicles effectively to make them last ’till summertime next year.

Tips For Storing Boats & RVs This Winter

Many citizens share the passion for owning bigger vessels/vehicles. Statistics show that 10% of American households have boats while one-third of adults have often gone boating. Similarly, more than 9% of American households have RVs, while millions of families consider purchasing one! However, it becomes an extensive investment when you’ve bought a sizable vessel/vehicle for recreational reasons during the pandemic. How to manage secure and off-site storage for your trailer or motorhome? We’ve collected some experts-suggested strategies here to help you prepare these objects for storage (unless you live in boats & RVs permanently). So, here’s how you can store these things for safekeeping in 2022:

  1. Find storage facilities:

May bigger-vessel/vehicle enthusiasts require off-location storage spaces for these machines. Being the second-most popular city in the Cotton State, Birmingham, AL, often look for external storage areas to keep their boats & RVs. So, we advise using the reliable facilities for boat storage Birmingham AL provides its citizens. These storage spaces are clean, secure, and available both covered and uncovered. They’re designed to fit boats & RVs, and anything 50 feet long! These climate-controlled spaces offer the right humidity/temperature levels for your machines. So, thoroughly investigate your options and have your property stored today.

  1. Inspect them thoroughly:

Before taking boats & RVs to the storage facility, inspect your property thoroughly. Drive the object for one last time to ensure everything is working correctly. Is it performing well? Does the engine need repair? Store that thing in its pristine condition to avoid any problem when you bring it out in a few months. Remove electronic devices from the machine to store them separately since they need different storage requirements. Furthermore, you can call experts to inspect your vessel/vehicle.

  1. Bring everything out:

Don’t store your vessels/vehicles without emptying everything! Don’t leave anything inside boats & RVs for winter storage. Many owners often leave soaps, toothbrushes, and related objects inside. It doesn’t seem smart to leave your things to crack and freeze in January. Your medicine cabinet may become an ugly mess after you retrieve your vessel/vehicle in springtime. Emptying boats & RVs can ensure you haven’t forgotten anything important inside your property. So, bring everything out.

  1. Visit them often?

How often can you visit your boats & RVs? Homeowners often have to retrieve essential items from their parked vessels/vehicles, so we suggest finding storage locations near your current residence. Choose a storage facility that provides 24/7 access to your property and continuous surveillance to ensure nobody else can touch your belongings. Also, don’t forget to keep checking your boats & RVs after having them parked. Lock them properly to prevent robbers from getting inside.

  1. Lock them properly:

Unless you’ve planned to reside in your vessels/vehicles, robbers may easily target these objects. So, homeowners must safeguard their boats & RVs against potential burglars. People often neglect how RV thefts have become common today. Even storage facilities aren’t immune from the criminals who wish to ransack the premises and steal people’s parked trailers. That’s why you must bring your separate heavy-duty lock while storing your boats & RVs to keep criminal elements away.

  1. Vacuum the interior:

Ensure that your vessel/vehicle’s been cleaned before it’s stored for winter. Is there any leftover food inside the property? It would be best to clean every crumb from the interior to prevent an insect from crawling inside. Even the tiniest amounts of food are invitations for critters! So, vacuum the interior properly and make this cleansing as thorough as possible. Don’t leave your boats & RVs as beacons for every animal in the neighborhood. If you have some time, clean the exterior too.

  1. Plug open holes:

Are you worried about bugs in your camper? Many homeowners have rodents, insects, and animals residing in their vessels/vehicles discovered when owners take them out for a drive! These pests like to turn open holes into winter abodes. So, we suggest covering every small opening around boats & RVs to prevent vermin from getting too comfortable with your property. Plug vents/pipes properly to keep the bugs away. That’s how you can safely submit your trailer for winter storage this year.

  1. Check liquid levels:

Remember to check the levels of liquids in your boats & RVs. Replace any liquid that can break down after being stored for a time. Replace filters and –we’ll clarify later – empty water tanks. We also suggest getting some all-weather covers when you have parked the vessel/vehicle outdoors. This cover should be custom-made for your machine to stop moisture from getting trapped. Hence, invest wisely in stuff like that.

  1. Use chock blocks:

You don’t want your boats and RVs to move while parked now, do you? That’s why we suggest using chock blocks to help vessels/vehicles remain steady in the storage facility. They’re made of stuff like wood, rubber, plastic, or polyurethane to stop accidental movements in vehicles. These objects keep your trailers secure and miles away from accidents. We advise against using a parking brake since it may damage the brake pad in the future. Use chock blocks and keep your property well-secured.

  1. Protect the plumbing:

Don’t forget that water can seriously damage your boats & RVs during the months of winter. We strongly suggest emptying the tanks and pouring some antifreeze in them. If you can’t do this alone, don’t hesitate to contact expert mechanics for help. That’s how you can safely safeguard the plumbing and store your property in a storage facility. Moreover, cover the ties of your camper because the sun ruins their quality. Don’t let sunlight make the tires useless after bringing the RV out again.

Conclusion

After the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic, boats and RVs became insanely demanded by people in the United States. Their purchases exploded because homeowners found these vessels/vehicles great ways for traveling while living in isolation from others during an ongoing pandemic. However, winter has arrived, and people are now preparing to store their boats & RVs for a couple of months. How must they store their precious possessions now? Some simple tactics involve cleaning the exterior and the interior of the vessel/vehicles before submitting them for storage. Keep rodents and animals away from boats & RVs. Also, don’t forget to check the tires and inflate them to lessen storage costs during winter.

4 Beautiful Ideas to Upgrade Your Home to a Winter Wonderland

The holiday season is all about magic and believing in something that goes beyond our wildest imagination. It’s a time for family, friends, and fun. Most people decorate their home with a holiday tree, ornaments, and other things that make it look like a winter haven. If you want to turn your abode into a wonderland of beauty, then here are four ideas you should incorporate.

Use White Twinkle Lights

Never underestimate the power of light to transform an area into a blissful space. A strand of lights can go easily around the doorway or in any location in the home. Soft, white light glistens off holiday trees and gives a festive aura to the room. You have many options that go beyond the string variety. Play around with a soft white or light blue to add a whole new element of holiday spirit to the home.

Make it Cozy with Throw Pillows and an Afghan

While you rely on your HVAC unit to keep you cozy, you can’t underestimate the enthusiasm that blankets and throw pillows can add. There’s nothing comfier than some warm blankets situated with festive pillows. Friends will find your space inviting, and your home will be a relaxing and tranquil place to retire after a long day. That’s what winter is all about anyway, hibernating.

Incorporate Nature

A winter wonderland is found outdoors, so to get this look inside, you must add some greenery or natural elements. Aged, white logs in a basket look spectacular by a fireplace. Also, the new flocked look gives you greenery with a snow-kissed touch that is perfect for bringing nature inside.

Hang Festive Pictures and Decor

Farmhouse chic decor is all the rage these days. You can add some spectacular pictures with simple sayings that complete your upgrade. Why not have an old red barn painting with a snow-covered roof, or you can have snowflakes scattered around. A picture with a catchy saying that talks about home, family, and love can also take your decor to the next level.

To transform your space into a winter wonderland, you need to incorporate elements of nature, light, and make it look cozy. Light blue and white are the colors of choice in this style of decor. Try adding some silver or white garland, a few holiday flowers, and some personal touches that make your space feel welcoming to all who enter.

How to Keep Your Plumbing Running Smoothly During the Winter

Certain precautions should be taken for the cold winter months to ensure that your plumbing system will still function without any problems. Not taking the right precautions could result in costly and potentially dangerous mishaps that could put the entire wellbeing of your home in jeopardy. Here are a few tips for keeping your plumbing running smoothly during the winter.

Wrap Pipes During Extreme Cold Spells

When temperatures are expected to drop below freezing for a prolonged period of time, it’s best to wrap your pipes to prevent them from bursting. Pipes that burst suddenly can cause major indoor flooding, extreme mold growth and other problems that can greatly compromise your home’s structure. Heat tape often works great as wrapping material for pipes, or you could also try using heat cables that are thermostatically controlled. Any cracks or other openings that might allow cold air to enter your pipes should be sealed thoroughly as well.

Drain Hard Water from Heater

If the water that you use in your home is hard, the buildup of sediment from this hard water can lead to the development of rust inside your water heater. Draining your water heater thoroughly can prevent this problem. You might also want to consider having your water heater replaced by plumbing experts who can install a new heater that will give you better performance while not being as prone to rust formation.

Disconnect Water Hoses

Any water hoses that stay attached to faucets could cause major plumbing problems when temperatures are freezing. These freezing temperatures can freeze any water inside a hose and cause the hose to expand. This freezing and expansion could wreak havoc on the faucet that a hose is connected to and result in additional plumbing problems.

Keep Outdoor Faucets from Freezing

In addition to disconnecting any attached hoses, there are other ways that you can prevent your outdoor faucets from freezing and hampering your plumbing system. A simple faucet cover often works wonders for preventing ice buildups in and around faucets. The outdoor supply valve should also be shut off to keep water that leads to your faucets from freezing. You can even invest in a frost-free faucet that’s designed to inhibit frost development naturally.

Winterizing your plumbing system is one of the smartest things that you can do for your home. Your home’s plumbing system doesn’t have to succumb to the hardships of winter if the right measures are in place.

Stable and Strong—How to Maintain Your Home Throughout the Winter

When it’s ridiculously cold outside, you probably won’t feel like doing any home maintenance. However, your abode needs to be protected during all seasons. While you may not be out cutting grass and doing yard work, some things need your attention. Here are ways to maintain your home when Mother Nature is at her worst.

Insulate Your Pipes

One of the most important things you can do for your home is to insulate your pipes. If you’re in an area where the temperatures dip below freezing, your pipes have a higher risk of bursting. Pipes that are in drafty regions are the ones you should focus on.

Heat tape is a fantastic product that can ensure you’re not without water during the most inclement weather. You’ll only need to measure the section of pipe that you need to insulate and apply the insulation. It’s an inexpensive chore that will pay off royally.

Call for HVAC Service

Your furnace is going to work overtime in the winter to keep you warm. It should be serviced two times per year. During the winter maintenance session, the technician will change the filter, look for any signs of an issue, and make sure that everything is mechanically sound. The worst thing that could happen is you have a service interruption when it’s freezing outside.

It’s also important to note that if you use gas to heat that a routine service check can save your life. While you should have a carbon monoxide detector in your home, a technician can spot the signs of leakage. The heat exchanger gets pin dot rust holes inside it that release this toxic gas. It’s a small price to pay for peace of mind.

Get a Chimney Sweep

If you’re one of the lucky ones to have a fireplace, it’s essential to have it cleaned and inspected at least once each year. Creosote can build up in the chimney and increase the chance of catching on fire. This service is only necessary on wood-burning varieties as gas burns clean and doesn’t require much maintenance.

Check Your Foundation

Your foundation is made of concrete. The cold weather, along with the excessive moisture, can bring out any foundation issues. Make sure to inspect your foundation for cracks or if it’s starting to slope, as this can be an indication of a significant problem. Get help with foundation repair immediately if you see anything that doesn’t look right. The structural integrity of your home is at risk.

Winter is one of the most challenging seasons for many people. However, your home is also affected by the harsh weather. Make sure your smoke detectors are up to date as many house fires occur during this time of the year. If all these things on the list are done, you can enjoy your nights watching TV and snuggling under the fire rather than worrying about home maintenance.

Prepare Your Outdoor Patio for Winter

Prepare Your Outdoor Patio for Winter

There’s nothing more magical than enjoying the winter charms with your loved ones, drinking hot mulled wine in your cosy outdoor sanctuary. There’s no reason to retreat to your home during winter and look through your windows as your beautiful patio becomes whiter every day. You can easily transform it into a comfy haven for the cold days where you can spend chilly evenings in a warm and inviting ambiance. Here are several tips that can help you prepare your patio for the upcoming winter.

Make it cosy

The end of warm summer days doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy your lovely backyard, especially if you have a covered patio. All you need to do is bring out several blankets and pillows to keep you warm while you enjoy quiet, intimate evenings with your friends. Not only will you create an ambience of comfort and warmth, but you’ll also elevate the overall décor of your patio. You can add patterned blankets and throw pillows with enticing winter motifs to set the mood for the upcoming holiday season. You can also introduce a beautiful outdoor rug for your lounge area to keep your feet warm and to create a layered stylish look. Furthermore, if your patio features a neutral colour scheme, throw pillows and blankets will provide you with an opportunity to bring in a pop of colour and break the monotonous look.

Add a heat source

You need to add a heat source to your patio in order to soak in the winter beauty in a warm environment. There are plenty of solutions that will keep you warm while also creating a cosy ambiance. You can go with a propane-based outdoor heater or install a lovely outdoor fireplace. You can opt for a stone fireplace for a rustic look or a gas one that will help you create a modern atmosphere. Adding a fire bowl is yet another authentic solution that will enable you to spend chilly nights outside in a warm ambiance.

Embrace the winter magic

Embrace the winter magic

Instead of running off into your house, you should embrace winter and completely enjoy its magic. Get ready for the festive season in time and gather all of your winter-inspired decorations for your outdoor patio, such as beautiful string lights and candles of different sizes, that will bring a sense of romance to your outdoor sanctuary. You should check out some of the beautiful accessories that The Furniture Shack has to offer. From magical candles and lanterns to beautifully designed outdoor rugs, every single detail will help you create a magical and enticing winter atmosphere. You can also consider adding festive decorative items, such as pinecones, evergreen springs and branches to capture the true spirit of winter.

Enclose your patio

Enclose your patio

If you have a beautiful view from your patio and you’re not a fan of winter, you should consider temporarily enclosing your outdoor haven. Depending on your budget, you can choose between glass and aluminium walls. This way, you will shield your patio from unfavourable weather conditions while still being able to soak in the view of the snow-covered scenery. If you don’t want to completely close your patio, you can install a pergola to cover it.

Keep it clean

Although maintaining your backyard and patio during winter isn’t easy, you shouldn’t let your outdoor furniture and other patio elements become damaged due to improper maintenance. You should find out whether your outdoor items are weather- and water-resistant. If not, you should properly store them away over winter. While aluminium and wooden furniture are weather-resistant, you still need to properly maintain them to ensure their durability. For example, you shouldn’t use protective covers for your wooden furniture to avoid moisture build-ups beneath them. Nonetheless, you should properly and regularly clean your outdoor furniture regardless of the materials to prevent mould growth.

In just a few easy steps, you can prepare your lovely outdoor sanctuary for the wintertime and create an ambiance of cosiness and warmth. Afterwards, you can embrace the winter magic and soak in its beauty.

About the author:

Chloe is an art historian and recreational ballet dancer. She is passionate about photography, dance and music. Her biggest dream is to travel the whole world with her husband and take stunning photographs of beautiful places. She also enjoys learning and writing about home design, since she is crazy about aesthetics.

Tips To Stay Comfortable If Your HVAC System Goes Down

With more than 80 percent of American homes having some kind of air conditioning or heating system installed, it’s easy to take that technology for granted. However, these systems don’t always function the way we expect. In those situations, we have to cope with the climate the way our ancestors did, in the days before these modern conveniences existed.

Coping without heating or air conditioning is an inconvenience no one wants to deal with, but it’s something everyone needs to be able to do. Fortunately, staying comfortable, even without your HVAC system, is a matter of following some relatively simple guidelines. With these tricks in mind, you can keep from feeling too hot or too cold, even if your HVAC system is on the blink for more than a day.

For example, keeping cool in the summer without air conditioning means dressing for the weather, drinking plenty of cold water, and avoiding the use of heat-generating appliances — unless necessary. For additional cooling, you can take a lukewarm bath or shower before bed, or stay in your basement during the hottest hours of the day.

Staying warm without your furnace is possible if you stick to only a few rooms and block the doors to the unused rooms with heavy curtains or blankets. Dressing in layers of warm wool clothing and blocking drafts under doors with rolled-up towels and blankets also helps you stay comfortable even when it’s cold inside your house.

Modern conveniences such as HVAC systems have certainly made life easier. However, knowing how to live without them will make life easier for those brief periods when they aren’t working. Or, you might want to live without them voluntarily to save a little money on your energy bills. Either way, these tips can help you stay comfortable without your HVAC system.

Tips to stay comfortable if your HVAC system goes down from Randazzo Heating & Cooling

Pre-Autumn Updates: 5 Things to Check on Your House Before Summer Ends

Pre-Autumn Updates: 5 Things to Check on Your House Before Summer Ends

The steps that you take in the coming weeks could have a major impact on your family’s comfort once the weather cools off. Seasonal maintenance will also help you cut back on your energy bills and save a little extra money every month when you start using your furnace or boiler again. Here is a look at five areas of your home you should take a look at well before the summer ends.

Check on Your Furnace or Boiler 

Most newer furnaces and boilers are designed to last for well over a decade, but they still require constant maintenance. When your HVAC system is being used regularly, you might need to change the filters as often as once every month. Homeowners should also have their heating and cooling systems inspected by an HVAC contractor twice a year.

Seal Cracks and Openings

Keeping your home at a consistent temperature is going to be nearly impossible if you have openings around doors, windows, vents, and pipes. Even with high-quality insulation and a new HVAC system, small openings will allow quite a bit of warm air to escape from your home during the winter months. Most smaller openings can easily be sealed with a caulking gun and all-purpose caulking.

Inspect the Roof for Damage

Your roof, rain gutters, and downspouts should never have any cracks or clogs. A minor pinhole or clog could cause thousands of dollars in damage during a rainstorm, and your home insurance might not cover the repairs. If you are unsure of how to inspect your roof for damage, then you should schedule a service call with a local roofing contractor like Gutter Magician NKY or someone else who has gutter service options.

Protect the Pipes

Any water pipes that are exposed to cold temperatures could burst when the weather begins to change. All of the pipes inside your home should be checked for leaks and wrapped in foam pipe covers before the start of autumn. You also need to close the shutoff valve that controls your outdoor faucets and remove the bleeder caps to drain any remaining water.

Upgrade the Insulation

High-quality insulation will keep your home at a comfortable and consistent temperature no matter what the weather is like outside. At the very least, you need to check your insulation a few times a year for any signs of damage. Homeowners who have a little extra money to invest back into their property should consider upgrading to blown-in insulation with a high R-value.

Another project that you might want to tackle this summer is scheduling a comprehensive energy audit for your home. During an audit, a specialist will inspect your property and come up with a detailed list of changes you can make to improve your home’s efficiency.

Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from Utah. She enjoys Tennis and spending time with her family.

 

Four Feng Shui Tips To Make Your Home Cozy For Winter

Four Feng Shui tips to make your home cozy for winter

People who’ve heard of feng shui know that it has something to do with the flow of energy around a home and how that flow can be helped or hindered by the way items are placed around a room. But feng shui also responds to the different seasons. Here are four things to do to keep the energy flowing even on the cold days of winter:

Use Warm Colors

Because winter is yin, which means it has the qualities of coldness and darkness, it is balanced by colors that are warm, if not fiery, such as red or orange. These colors are considered yang. Neutral colored pillows, draperies, slip covers and bedclothes should be swapped out for accessories that have these warmer colors and can be bought from places such as Modern Home 2 Go. Fruits and vegetables with warmer hues, such as tomatoes and pumpkins, should be eaten. Even artwork with cool colors like blue or green can be exchanged for artwork with warmer hues, at least for the season.

warm colors

Plug up Drafts

Drafts coming in from leaky windows need to be corrected and the windows themselves covered with warm drapes in bright, warm colors and made of heavy fabrics such as velvet and flannel. Air conditioning units need to be either removed or covered up while they are not in use.

However, on days when it’s sunny and not bitterly cold, move the draperies aside, and let in natural light for a few hours.

Add More Light

Winter is the time to change lightbulbs. This is especially important now because the inefficient, incandescent light bulbs are being phased out. Homeowners should screw in at least one lightbulb that gives full spectrum light that mimics a sunny day, and use halogen, LED or compact fluorescent or CFL lightbulbs. These lightbulbs are more efficient than incandescent bulbs, and LED and CFLs are cooler. Halogen bulbs, however, are hotter, so make sure they are kept well away from anything flammable, including those heavy draperies over the windows.

Candles not only provide light, but can be the focus of calming rituals. Simply light a candle, sit before it, and breathe in and out.

clutter

Declutter

Donate old clothes and other items to charities. This is not only a good thing to do for others but decluttering a home frees up good energy, or chi. Decluttering makes room not only for new items but new ideas.

Following the principles of feng shui saves winter from being the part of the year that just has to be endured. These tips make winter cozy, comfortable and even quietly invigorating.

Beautify Your Winter Wonderland With These 5 Plants

Beautify Your Winter Wonderland With These 5 Plants

Winter is a beautiful and enchanting time of year. With pure white snowfalls and the smell of chimney smoke in the air, it is a time for wonder and awe. While there are many upsides to winter, there are also quite a few drawbacks. One in particular is the frigid temperatures. If your green-thumb is forced to hibernate all winter long, consider some cold hardy plants to spruce up your winter landscape. It will be able to lift the spirits of everyone who walks by right in time for the holidays. Take a look at these five excellent examples of plants that have no problem with a little chill.

Winterberry Holly

Starting off with the most obvious of selections, the Winterberry Holly Bush has become a staple of Christmas. It has beautiful glossy green leaves adorned with the trademark red berries it is known for. This plant should be planted in the spring in order for the roots to take hold and survive the winter. Over the warmer months white flowers will add a decorative touch and will turn to berries when the air grows colder. Once planted this bush will last all year round making sure you never have to worry about a bare yard again.

holly

Winter Glow Pigsqueak

You may want something a bit more subtle than red berries in your yard. If this is the case, consider the Winter Glow Pigsqueak. This shrub has gorgeous bright green leaves that look amazing in contrast with the snow. The only time it may change color is during the fall where it could take on a bronze tone. Aside from the color, this plant is also perfect for the winter because it requires very little upkeep. It grows best in the shade so just make sure you have some trees in your yard as well.

Jacaranda

Some people can never get enough flowers. After the first frost hits, it is often time to say goodbye to the soft petals and sweet fragrances. There is, however, a few types of flowers that may be able to bring some color to your home. Jacaranda trees are able to overlook the winter frost and bloom as if it were springtime. The blueish-purple flowers form in clusters making it truly eye catching. Moon Valley Nursery offers a few different varieties of this tree to make sure you can find the perfect fit for your home.

Winter Jasmine

While the plant itself will last all year round, the flowers will open up in late January. Winter Jasmine gives the bleak winter scenery a pop of bright yellow. It is a climbing plant which make it excellent for decorating a fence or trellis. Being an immensely resilient plant, it will survive through heat and frost, as well as dry or wet soil. Though it will not take much work on your part to keep this plant happy, it will always make it a point to keep a smile on your face.

jasmin

Lemon Tree

Adding a few more trees to your yard is never a bad idea. They provide shade and picturesque scenery that can always be appreciated. Purchasing a lemon tree has these same advantages and more. If you live in a warmer climate you can have lemons any time you want. Even in cooler weather you will be able to look at your perfect landscape and wait for spring for your fruit. Either way, this is a tree that will always have a way to give back.

Winter does not always mean you have to put away your gardening gloves. Though cold hardy plants usually do not require all that much maintenance, plants always grow better with proper attention. For advice about seasonal plants as well as a wide selection of their own, enlist the help of a professional in your area.

7 Ways to Get Your Home Ready for the Chilly Winter Season

winter-home

The tell-tale signs of winter are here: you’re late to work because you can’t bring yourself to get out of the warm bed and your car has trouble starting because of the below-freezing temperatures.

As the cold weather moves in, you may be tempted to flee to a warmer climate. But for most of us, jobs, family and other responsibilities prevent us from becoming expats in the Caribbean.

Instead, it would be wise to focus on how we can make our lives more comfortable and warm with manageable home improvements. Let’s explore seven ways to prep your home for the chilly weather that winter inevitably brings.

Clean Your Chimney and Gather Firewood

There is nothing more quintessentially winter than curling up next to the fireplace. But a poorly maintained fireplace can cause damage to your home and your health. Hire a chimney sweep to clean and inspect your chimney, and ask him or her how to clean it yourself.

Check your chimney flue and cap to ensure they are operating correctly. A missing or loose cap could create water damage or encourage little critters to nest near the warmth of the fire. Store your firewood in a dry place and ready your shovel and poker so that you don’t have to touch the hot surfaces directly.

Check Windows and Doors for Leaks           

You might remember your grandparents carrying on about drafts, but they were on to something. Check out the weather stripping around exterior doors, and install storm doors as an extra layer of protection if you’ve got them. Caulk around windows when you see gaps to keep cold air where it belongs.

Insulate Your Garage Door

Most people think to check windows and doors, but your garage door should also get some love. Consider an insulated garage door, which will keep energy costs down and cut down on noise pollution.

There is an added benefit to updating your garage door: since it is one of the largest exterior surfaces of your home, you can add a lot of curb appeal by updating its style. So this move makes sense economically and aesthetically in addition to warming you up this winter.

Inspect Your Furnace and Boiler

Many of us just assume our heating and hot water will come on when we want it to, no questions asked. If pressed, you might not even be able to say where your furnace and boiler are, or how they function.

The system of pipes and heating varies from home to home, but the one consistent is that they should be inspected every winter. If it is time to replace older systems, expect to gain some energy efficiency and lower your bills.

Purchase a Generator

Lots of people who lived through Snowmaggedon or the Polar Vortex remember living without power for days on end. At first the candlelight was charming, but that wore off quickly.

A generator would provide a backup power source should you lose power in your home. If you want a generator for convenience or for safety – say, if a family member needs refrigerated medication or an electric medical device – there are several factors to consider. Among them are installation, sound and cost. But if an alternate power source is a must for you, then purchasing a generator is an important part of getting your home ready for winter.

Drain the Outdoor Plumbing, Ready for Frozen Pipes

One of the most common winter mistakes first time homebuyers make is not draining the water from faucets and hoses that sit outside the home. Frozen pipes can burst and cause immense damage to the home. Disconnect hoses and store them inside to prevent freezing and cracking.

Once you’ve got the outdoor plumbing taken care of, be on the looking for indoor plumbing that might freeze, like pipes that sit against exterior walls. If your faucet produces just a drip of water, it’s a sign of a frozen pipe. Leave the faucet on, and apply heat using a hair dryer, towels soaked in hot water or an electric heating pad. As the pipe thaws, water will drip out of the open faucet. Continue until your regular water pressure is restored.

Prepare Your Pantry

The kitchen is probably the hub of activity in your home, and for that reason it should get a little winter preparation as well.

Stock the pantry with chicken broth, canned beans and crushed tomatoes so that you can pull together a quick chili in a pinch. Grab cocoa and marshmallow for the requisite hot chocolates.  And update your recipe box with some popular winter recipes, so that you can keep your family warm inside and out.

Most of us look forward to the holidays, more time spent before the fire and cozy scarves and mittens. But the reality of a cold, harsh winter is anything but romantic. So prepare your home for winter weather before the snow men show up in your front yard.

Kacey-MyaKacey is a lifestyle blogger for The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts.

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