By Erika George & Kari, November 7, 2019
As our Pacific Northwest winter weather approaches, it’s important to take some preventative measures to protect you and your home. Winterizing is a task that can help save you money on energy bills, increase the comfort of your home and can be relatively inexpensive.
Then if you are having radiators fitted it’s also very important to get your electric radiator installation done professionally as that will be much safer and likely give a better performance too.
Here are some helpful tips:
Be Prepared
- Purchase a snow shovel now, so you’re ready before winter weather arrives.
- Have rock salt/deicing agents on hand.
- Prepare an emergency kit that includes water, non-perishable food supplies, blankets and a first-aid kit. Don’t forget food for any pets!
- Double check the operation of smoke detectors, CO detectors and fire extinguishers.
Heating System
- Replace filters in your home’s HVAC system to increase efficiency. You can click to read more to find an efficient HVAC system.
- Test run your heating system in advance.
- Hire a certified technician to inspect and maintain your furnace.
- Reverse ceiling fans so that they force warm air downwards.
Gutters and Downspouts
- Clear gutters and downspouts.
- Inspect, secure and repair any loose or leaking gutters.
- Install leaf guards to keep falling leaves and debris out of gutters.
- Trim back tree branches and shrubs from the home.
Plumbing and Faucets
- Drain and turn off outdoor faucets and irrigation systems.
- Install insulating covers to exterior faucets.
- Inspect exposed plumbing (particularly in older homes) in areas like basements or crawl spaces that may not be insulated.
- Add pipe insulation as needed to prevent them from bursting.
- Consider adding a sump pump in basements that are prone to moisture.
Doors and Windows
- Inspect doors and windows to ensure there aren’t any gaps.
- Caulk or apply weatherstripping around problem areas.
- Install double paned windows or apply plastic film to increase energy efficiency.
Roofing, Chimneys and Decks
- According to Roofing service Lancaster Ca, it’s important to inspect your roof and replace any damaged shingles or flashing.
- Make sure your chimneys and wood stoves are cleaned early in the season.
- Give your deck a new coat of sealer to protect it from the winter elements.
Thanks Julie Fisher, business development representative at First American Title, for sending us these home winterization tips!
Erika George & Kari McGee
Broker-Esquire | Principal Broker | Senior Real Estate Specialists
She/Her
Meet cousins Erika George and Kari McGee - the highly skilled HouseLovePDX Team at Living Room Realty in Portland, OR.
Realtor® Erika George brings to the table 20 years of experience as an attorney specializing in construction and contracts and has been a full-service real estate broker since 2013. Principal Broker Kari McGee is an 11-year Portland Monthly 5- Star Realtor® and has helped clients successfully navigate the evolving Portland real estate market for more than 20 years.
What this means for you is that there's not a lot we haven't seen. We will be proactive, where others will miss important opportunities. We like to negotiate and operate with a deep understanding of what it means to be your fiduciary: your strenuous advocate, not merely your transaction coordinator.
Our step-by-step system will be tailored to your specific goals. And, we will provide you with expert resources to help you make informed decisions at each milestone stage of your transaction.
As designated Seniors Real Estate Specialists (SRES®), we specialize in helping Seniors and their families navigate aging in place, downsizing, multigenerational housing, senior community living options, and probate sales.
We strive to help people with a wide variety of needs, prepare for life’s transitions with compassion and expert guidance. We would be honored to help guide you through your changing real estate needs in the greater metropolitan Portland area.
Here are our Top Five Favorite Things to do for you:
1. Ask you questions (lots of questions!) and actually listen to your answers. 2. Show out-of-area Buyers all the fun neighborhoods and important spots that make the Portland Metro area special. 3. Crack you and ourselves up with funny photos and random moments of hilarity that pop up in a day of touring homes or after a long day of listing preparation chores! 4. Negotiate and advocate strenuously for you and your goals. 5. Celebrate the many (big and small) milestones in a real estate sale or purchase. 6. Watch your life grow and change after the sale closes, and be there for you when you need us. ps - oh how we adore your "look at what we did to this house" photos! And lunch. We also adore lunching with you. (Yes, we know, that's two in one and we're already at six...). 7. Make "Top-Five" lists that always have more than 5 top-fives. Just goes to show you how much we love to exceed your expectations! We would be honored to help guide you through your changing real estate needs in Portland Oregon. CONTACT Erika George and Kari McGee 503.349.5449 | 971.322.6612 Team@HouseLovePDX.com www.houselovepdx.com
