How to Protect Your Northern Virginia, DC Home From the Snow

This weekend's historic blizzard dropped loads of snow onto many Northern Virginia and DC homeowner's rooftops. And while some were prepared for the storm, others were scrambling to de-ice sidewalks and driveways and protect pipes after the fact. 

In a previous blog post, I shared a few tips for preparing your NoVA home for winter and now I'm happy to provide a few more suggestions to protect your property from the snow. The cold, winter conditions can wreak havoc on your home and it's important to take the following steps ahead of time:

Shut off outdoor faucets
Be sure to shut off inside valves for your outdoor faucets and unhook hoses. Any excess water left in the exterior faucets should be drained ahead of a snowfall in Alexandria, Arlington, Annandale, Fairfax, Falls Church or the surrounding communities. When the temperatures dip low, the pipes leading to these faucets are susceptible to damage, so you might also consider wrapping them in a towel for added insulation.

Protect indoor pipes
Cold air can also put your indoor pipes at risk of bursting. Open your cabinet doors under the sink to allow warm air from your home to circulate inside. If necessary, you can always turn up the heat inside your NoVA home to warm up the pipes.

Clean the gutters
Prior to a snowstorm, your gutters should be clear of any leaves as ice dams can form and flood your home.

Purchase salt and sand
Sprinkling salt or sand ahead of a snowfall can actually cut down on your shoveling time! A few hours before the snowfall, toss on walkways and driveways to be safe.

Check carbon monoxide detectors
Gas appliances and wood-burning fireplaces have the potential to produce carbon monoxide, so it is always wise to conduct a routine check of your detectors. 

As your local Northern Virginia real estate expert, I am here to answer any questions you might have about buying or selling a home in the winter months—as well as year-round—so do not hesitate to contact me!

I happily serve the areas of Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Fairfax City, Falls Church, Great Falls, Herndon, Lake Ridge, McLean, Mount Vernon, Reston, Rosslyn, Springfield, Tyson’s Corner and Vienna. 

Earle Whitmore

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
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5 Tips to Get Your Northern Virginia Home Ready for Winter

Believe it or not, we could be seeing the first snowflakes of the year in a few short weeks. Northern Virginia homeowners can take precautions now to ensure they are not caught off guard by a faulty heating system, water leaks in the basement or high energy bills due to drafty windows and doors.

I am happy to share these five tips for preparing your home for winter and help you enjoy the season, without any home-related hassles.

Clean the gutters
Once all the leaves have fallen, it's time to clean out your gutters, unless of course, they are already overflowing. Gutters are the cause of many basement water problems due to water draining improperly.

On the same note, make sure your downspouts are pointing away from your house, away from sills and driveways. You always want to route water away from the house, not emptying into a corner of it.

Block the drafts
Seal up any gaps around windows, doors and baseboards with weather stripping, window film or caulk to keep your energy bills down. Now is also the time to repair any broken or cracked windows that could allow heat to escape.

Have your chimney cleaned
If you'll be using your fireplace this winter in Northern Virginia, give your chimney sweep a call. An experienced chimney sweep will be able to clean buildup or blockages and prevent fires related to this feature of your home.  

Have your furnace inspected
This time before winter arrives is best for inviting an HVAC tecnician to inspect your furnace as they can become very busy during the height of the season. Making sure everything is in working order now will save you trouble when the weather requires daily use.

Reroute ceiling fans
If you have ceiling fans in your NoVA home, set them to rotate clockwise to force the rising warm air back toward the floor. Keep heating down with the use of your ceiling fan can also help you lower energy bills this time of year.

Do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions about becoming a homeowner or selling your current home this year. Winter can be an ideal season to find a deal on your dream home!

I happily serve the areas of Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Fairfax City, Falls Church, Great Falls, Herndon, Lake Ridge, McLean, Mount Vernon, Reston, Rosslyn, Springfield, Tyson’s Corner and Vienna. 

Earle Whitmore

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
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4 Ways to Prepare Your Northern Virginia Home for Winter

Temperatures are dropping and the snow is falling in Northern Virginia— winter is almost here! But even if you're feeling ready for the snowy season to settle in, your home in Alexandria, Arlington, McLean, Mount Vernon and Centreville will need some attention. 

Bundling up the attic and protecting your pipes are just two winter preparation tasks to cross off of your list this month!

Insulate the hot water heater

Depending on where your water heater is located in your Northern Virginia home, insulation can be especially important this winter. If the heater is located in the garage, for instance, it will have to work that much harder to heat in such a cold room. Adding an insulating blanket over your heater can help it to remain efficient all winter long.

Find gaps and holes where heat can escape

Heating your home can be pricey— you don't want to let all of the heat escape out of a tiny crack in the attic or through faulty windows. Take a walk around your home, feeling for places where cold air may be creeping in (and thus, heat traveling out). Pay attention to window panes and around door frames.

Warm up the attic

By repairing the insulation in your NoVa home's attic, you can save up to 20 percent on utility bills. Be sure to patch any air leaks here and check that your attic door is just as insulated as the rest of the space.

Protect the pipes

Water can freeze inside your pipes and cause them to burst, giving way to an expensive repair bill. To prevent this, always keep your thermostat set at or above 55 degrees F, even if you'll be away from home.

Winter can be a lovely time in Northern Virginia, don't let these common homeowner hassles get you down. I have decades of experience working in the real estate market and I'd be happy to assist you with your homebuyer or seller goals this year! 

I happily serve the areas of Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Fairfax City, Falls Church, Great Falls, Herndon, Lake Ridge, McLean, Mount Vernon, Reston, Rosslyn, Springfield, Tyson’s Corner and Vienna. 

Earle Whitmore

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
Visit Our Website
View Northern Virginia Homes for Sale
Become Our Facebook Fan
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