Prepare Your Home to Stay Warm All Winter

With freezing temperatures just around the corner, now is the time to prepare your home for winter! Here are some tips to keep your David Weekley home warm and weatherproof all season long:

• Blow out your irrigation system. This is weather-dependent but generally should be completed prior to subfreezing temperatures (typically between October 15 and November 15). If sub-freezing temperatures are expected before you are able to have the system blown out, cover your vacuum breaker with an insulating material temporarily to prevent damage. If your irrigation is part of an HOA community system, you will receive information from the HOA.

• Turn off any exterior hose spigots at the valve in the mechanical room, disconnect your hose(s), open the hose spigots and drain the water in the line with the bleeder valve in the mechanical room.

• Keep your garage(s) closed when not in use to maintain your home’s heating efficiency.

• Clear debris from your gutters and downspouts.

• Disconnect sump pump discharge extensions, which can freeze and block the flow of the discharged water. This is particularly important in the spring when thawing begins.

• Walk the exterior of your home to check for any gaps or cracks in caulking and reseal as necessary.

• Once you’re finished using your air conditioner for the season, turn off the circuit breaker to avoid any unintended operation during the winter. Turn the breaker labeled ‘AC’ on your main electrical panel to the off position. Just don’t forget to turn it back on in spring!

• It’s a good time to perform routine maintenance on your air exchanger (the large rectangular box mounted to the wall in your mechanical room). Simply open the door of the box and follow the step-by-step instructions inside. Set the controller to the recommended setting for the season.

• Ensure you have a clean filter in your furnace, and continue to check your furnace filter monthly and replace as needed.

• If your home has a humidifier attached to the furnace, open the damper and confirm you have a clean filter before turning the unit on. Set the humidifier controller to an appropriate setting for the season. Remember that extreme cold will require reducing the humidity. If possible, keep window treatments open during the day to avoid condensation on your windows. If condensation is frequently inside, this is an indication that the humidity setting should be reduced. If you notice ice build-up on your windows, turn the humidifier off for a few days and turn on the thermostat fan to help thaw the ice.

• Do not put salt on your concrete driveway and sidewalks. Salt and other related cold weather products can not only cause surface damage and discoloration, but they also void your warranty. When possible, use alternatives such as sand or crushed rock, and if you need to use salt, clean it off immediately after the ice has melted.

• Whether your driveway is concrete or asphalt, applying a sealant before cold temperatures arrive can reduce wear and tear and extend the life of your driveway.

• Now is a great time to start cutting your lawn at a lower mowing height to minimize winter damage from voles and other elements. You can also use a fall/winter fertilizer before the grass goes dormant to help jumpstart your lawn in the spring.

Refer to your New Home Care and Maintenance Guide for further tips and information, and remember the David Weekley Homes Team is always available to answer questions or concerns! Contact us at mspwarranty@dwhomes.com or call 612-260-2308.

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