Eagle

The North End

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If you are new to Idaho, and have never owned a home in a cold climate, here are some tips for preparing your home for the winter. Many of these things should have already been done by now, but if not, you may consider taking care of them before a deep freeze. This is especially true if you are selling your home and have already moved on to your new destination. Having a vacant home in the winter has its own set of challenges – but being prepared can take the fear and worry about something going wrong… because if you don’t take precautions, something can definitely go wrong. What are the most important things to think about? Here’s a list of things to consider:
• Have lawn watering system blown out to remove water from pipes. (You should do this by October or before the first freeze)
• Change batteries and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Have furnace inspected and serviced, and change furnace filter.
• Clean out gutters. This is to prevent ice dams that can cause roof leaks.
• Trim trees if needed. To prevent tree limbs from falling on the roof during a heavy snowfall.
• Turn off water to outdoor spigots if possible.
• Disconnect any garden hoses and cover the spigot. Try using a Styrofoam-type insulating cover to prevent freezing and condensation.
• Check all door and window weatherstripping for damage: Replace any damaged weather stripping.
• Check and repair any worn or damaged weather-stripping caulk.
• Store or protect outdoor lawn furniture.
• Wrap or protect delicate shrubs or gardens.
If you are leaving your house unoccupied for more than a few days at a time, setting your thermostat at 55 degrees or so while you’re gone will save energy and keep anything from freezing. If your home is currently vacant and listed for sale, be sure to keep your home warmer than that – at least 65-68 degrees – you want the potential buyers to stay as long as possible to see all that you have to offer. If it’s too cold inside, they’ll want to leave quickly and get back to their warm car.

If you are wondering why it is so important to keep the inside of your vacant home warm, remember that water expands when it freezes – water pipes will burst if the water freezes. Weighing the cost between keeping the thermostat a little higher and the cost to remedy a flooded house due to burst water pipes is easy math. I once sold a home in December to an out of state couple that weren’t moving in for a couple weeks. While checking on the home, I walked in to discover that the heater had shut off, and all the pipes had frozen, bursting one in the upstairs bathroom. Fortunately, the frozen water had stopped the complete flooding of the house; there was only a small puddle on the bathroom floor. If the heater had gone back on there would have been a major disaster. It’s a good thing I arrived when I did, and was able to turn the water main off and get a plumber and HVAC guy out to remedy the situation.
Moral to the story? If you do have a vacant home in the winter, be sure to have someone check in from time to time – you too can avert a disaster! Be sure you know where the main water shut-off valve, and be sure to let your agent or whomever is checking on your home know where it is.
If you have any questions, or need real estate assistance, please feel free to reach out – I’m always happy to help!
Happy Holidays!
Terry Ivins
208.870.5086
TIvins@Atova.com

Atova, Inc.
360 E. State
Eagle, ID 83616
Phone: 208-939-5151
Fax: 208-939-5152
Email: info@IdahoRealEstate.com

In Idaho things are different. People are friendly, the streets are safe and life just seems to move a little bit slower. If you already live in the Boise area please stop by and say hello. We would enjoy hearing from you and we would enjoy being of service! If you don't yet live in Idaho, what are you waiting for? Now just might be the right time to make the move. We are professional and trustworthy real estate agents servicing the greater Boise Idaho area and beyond. Whether you are interested in new homes in the city, a cabin by the lake or a maintenance free downtown Boise condo, our agents are standing by to serve you. Call us today and let us know what we can do to help!