The winter breeze is blowing in and it’s time to winterize your home. But there’s one problem – you have yet to move in. Unfortunately, if you don’t currently hold the keys to your home, it’s not yet your own. The good news is that if you don’t have the keys, the current owners are likely still there and will have the heat going.
However, if you do have the keys prior to your anticipated move-in date, there are some things you can do to winterize your house before you move in.
Fix the Drafts
When your house is empty, you can easily feel drafts coming in because they’re no belongings interrupting the flow of the cold air. So, take a walk through the home and place your hands by the windows and doorways. If you feel a brisk chill seeping in through the cracks, install new weather stripping and apply caulking where needed.
Turn on the Heat
Keeping the heat turned off while the home is vacant is tempting, as you don’t want to waste any money. However, doing so can actually cause more damage. Freezing pipes are never fun, and that’s not to mention that moving in the freezing cold with nowhere to warm up is highly undesirable.
So, set the thermostat to heat mode prior to moving. You can keep it fairly low leading up to the days of the move but at least 24 hours prior, put it at your ideal temperature.
Clean the Air Vents and Filters
Dirty air vents and filters can be just as harmful to your house as they are to your wallet. So, make sure the air vents and filters of your heating and cooling systems are clean and free of debris. This allows the air to flow freely throughout your home prior to the move.
Prepare the Fireplace
If you have a fireplace in your new home, you want to make sure it’s ready for arrival. After all, it’s one of the best features of your new humble abode! So, schedule a professional to come and clean out the chimney prior to moving in.
Protect the Pipes
Freezing pipes can be an expensive disaster – and one that is easily avoidable. So, don’t skip over this step! Start by insulating any exposed piping with foam insulation. If you can wrap them in electrical heating tape prior to doing so, all the better.
Then, check for any exposed drain or water piping in the home. Some common places to look include the attic, crawl spaces, outside walls, etc. However, don’t forget to give the exterior a once-over and to shut down the water supply (especially exterior water supply).
Insulate your Water Tank
Purchase an insulation blanket from your local hardware store and bring it to the new house. Wrap it around your hot water tank. This will help keep it insulated while not in use and help keep the water warmer.
Clean out the Gutters
Once the snow starts, it’ll be hard to get up on the roof to clean out the gutters. However, with clogged gutters and an abundance of precipitation comes a risk of leaks and further damage. So, grab a ladder and clean the gutters before the winter weather blows in.
Since there’s nothing worse than moving into your new home only to find damage and a dire need for repairs, don’t forget to winterize your home before moving in. As a bonus, your home will be toasty warm upon arrival which will help you settle in and keep your hands from freezing as you unload the moving truck and unpack your belongings.
