Southern California famously boasts warm weather even during the holidays. Nevertheless, you should take some steps to winterize your SoCal home…especially if you plan to list it for sale. Although the San Gabriel Valley, Inland Empire, LA Basin, Riverside County an Orange County do not usually see snow, now is the perfect time to make sure your house is ready for colder climes. Take our word for it; although the thermostat currently hovers near 80 degrees Farenhiet, currently, colder weather will emerge.
Call a Chimney Sweep
If you turn on your fireplace with a light switch instead of setting logs on fire, feel free to skip this step. But if your fireplace burns wood, prepare for winter use by capping or screening the top of the chimney to keep out rodents and birds. (These live in virtually every climate.) Inspect the damper and check mortar between bricks.
Check the Foundation
Rake away debris and edible vegetation from the foundation. And, unless you don’t mind critters living under your house, seal entry points to keep rodents from seeking shelter by crawling under your house.
Check windows and doors for leaks
If you hear wind whistling through windows or doors, stop it by sealing all entry points. Use weather-stripping around doors to prevent cold air from entering the home and caulk windows. You might be surprised by how much more affordable your gas bills are if you take this step!
Inspect the furnace
Call an HVAC professional to check your system. In advance of his inspection, check filters and make sure you change them on a regular basis. Check to ensure flammable material is located far from heat sources.Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Install a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace and/ or water heater. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors every six months.
Prepare an Emergency Kit
Buy indoor candles and matches for use during power outages. These can happen in the San Gabriel Valley during storms. Locate emergency phone numbers and tape them near your phone or inside the phone book. Store bottled water (3 gallons per person for three days) and non-perishable food supplies (including pet food, if necessary), blankets and a first-aid kit in a cool, dry place. Store in an easy-to-access location.
Prepare Landscaping and Outdoor Surfaces
Protect your pipes
Set your thermostat to at least 55 degrees to make sure pipes won’t freeze. Although this is rare in SoCal, it has happened. Better safe than sorry.
Schedule a Roof Inspection
Consider adding extra insulation to the attic, which will prevent warm air from creeping to your roof. Also, make sure your roofer checks flashing to ensure water cannot enter the home. Also, ask that they replace worn roof shingles or tiles.
Service Weather-Specific Equipment
Since you won’t need to use most gardening equipment until summer, drain gas from lawnmowers. Check rain gutters before heavy storms start and remove obstructions such as leaves.
About SoCal Platinum Properties in San Dimas, California
At SoCal Platinum Properties, we offer unique perks to clients who list their home to sell with us. One benefit that we provide, which most other realtors do not, is that we will pay for and arrange to have a home inspection before we put your home on the market. The reason we do this is because we want to eliminate potential potholes down the road, when prospective buyers could use items the home inspector uncovers as an excuse to pay less than they bid. What’s more, resolving minor repairs on the front end often means you can ask more for your home rather than selling it “as is.” To find out more about how to take advantage of this perk and list your home with SoCal Platinum Properties, call (213) 709-5178 today or compete this contact form.