Although it is 66 degrees F and sunny outside today, winter is coming, soon. To be sure, winters on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina are mostly mild and temperate, but it's still worth taking a few preparatory steps to ensure all systems are go for the colder winter months.Is your beach house prepared? And, what exactly do you need to do? Let me help. I'll break winterizing down into three simple steps to make sure your house is ready for the change of seasons. Here's what you need to do to winterize your Emerald Isle beach house.
1. Do a systems check.
Test your heating system. Do a test run to make sure you have heat when you need it. The time to do that is now before the winter months arrive. Set your thermostat to 80 degrees or until you hear the furnace kick on and you can feel warm air blowing through the vents. If it's working without issue, reset it back to the desired temperature. If you find any issues, call a service technician.If you need recommendations, call or text me at 919-308-2292 or send me an email to: DRaczkowski@fathomrealty.com. Winterize your AC unit. Check the outdoor condensing unit of your air conditioning system. Clear any debris and rinse with a high-powered hose spray. After cleaning, some experts recommend that you cover the unit with a breathable waterproof fabric specifically designed for AC condensing units to help preserve and protect the life of the unit, as well as prolong its effectiveness and efficiency. That may work well inland. but quite frankly, though, what with all the salt air, most condensing units have such a short shelf life that this fabric is fairly unnecessary. Protect your plumbing and pipes. This one is important. Consider insulating any exposed piping in crawlspaces, attics and outside walls. Shut off the water to all exterior faucets from inside the house and open up the faucets to drain the water from each. Disconnect garden hoses and drain those, too. If you are closing down your property for several months, you should always shut off the water supply and drain the plumbing system and empty the pipes and toilets in preparation for colder temps and discontinued use while you're away. If a leak were to occur while vacant, the damage to your home could be catastrophic.
Control the temperature. Set the thermostat to a temperature that will keep the pipes warm enough to prevent freezing. Winterize your sprinkler system. Turn off your sprinklers and blow compressed air through the holes to purge them from water and prevent any damage from freezing and bursting. Winterizing your sprinkler system should be done during the fall in preparation for the winter months.
2. Inspect, repair and prepare.
Clean and inspect your fireplace and chimney. Make sure the chimney is free and clear of any nests from birds, squirrels or other animals. Also check your flue damper to ensure that it opens, closes and locks properly. If you haven't had your fireplace cleaned in the last few years, or ever, schedule a chimney sweep to come and clean it for you.
Check your windows and doors for air flow. On a blustery day, check each of your windows and doors for any air leakage. Check weatherstripping and repair or install where needed. Clean your gutters. Now is the time to clean your gutters and downspouts to remove any leaves, dirt and debris. Wet leaves can add significant weight to the gutters and cause damage, especially if they freeze during the colder temps.
Prevent against pests. Make sure your chimney flue is closed and check for any other open areas into your house that need to be closed up or sealed. Rodents can get into a house through the smallest of cracks.
3. Ready your outdoor living space.
Have your pool water level lowered. This is a big one. I recommend you let your pool tech handle this job. It is important to lower water levels below the scupper. and to add proper chemicals to keep water from freezing.
Clean and cover the grill. Sure, you may still use your grill on occasion over the coming months, but now is the perfect time to give it a good clean up after a summer of intense use. Cover it up and make sure it's protected from the elements and ready to go for next grilling season. Protect or cover outdoor furniture. Depending on how much you think you're going to be out on your deck or porch, consider protecting your outdoor furniture by covering them. It gives an added layer of protection from weathering over the cooler winter months.
Drain any fountains or water features. Unplug any pumps and drain the water from any water features you have in your yard. Use up or drain the gas out of the lawn mower and other lawn maintenance power tools. You most likely won't be using these landscaping tools until spring. Make sure the gas is used up or drained out while not in use.
A little prevention provides a lot of peace of mind when it comes to preparing your home for winter. If these tasks are too daunting, consider contracting with a property management company to handle the winterizing. If you want to receive my WInterizing Your Emerald Isle Beach Home Checklist, send me an email to: DRaczkowski@fathomrealty.com.
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