While the sunny state of Florida is known for mild winters and minimal snow, there are still certain steps homeowners should take to prepare their homes for winter and ensure that their home remains in tip-top shape through the seasonal changes. Every responsible homeowner should know that to be proactive is the best way to prevent future problems with their various home appliances, systems, and components that could be extremely costly to repair down the road if not maintained properly. Moreover, if you take good care of your home, if something does go wrong that is beyond your control, it is much easier to file an insurance claim and be compensated by insurance for what they’re supposed to cover. Read on for more advice on how to prepare your Florida home for the winter, no matter how mild, so that your home is in the best possible state.
Preparing Your Florida Home For Winter
Florida doesn’t have extremely cold winters, but there are still mild seasonal changes to prepare for and to be proactive about. In any case, it’s important to check on your home and make sure everything is running properly all seasons of the year. Preparing and maintaining a home in warm Florida for winter is somewhat different from preparations made for homes in different areas of the United States due to the fact that Florida receives very few days every year that fall below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it’s important to remember that fall is still an optimal time for homeowners to check on all their major systems and make sure that they are in proper working order prior to the cold weather arriving. Making sure things are in decent shape is especially important if you’re a seasonal resident who is gone from your Florida property part of the year.
Tips To Prepare your Home For Winter
Below we list some steps for Florida homeowners to take to prepare their homes for the winter season:
- Check the roof and attic– Summer storms are frequent in many areas of the state, and may have loosened flashing or damaged shingles. A thorough inspection by a qualified roofer can spot problem areas before they turn into an expensive leak. You can also ask your roofer to check the insulation in your attic space to make sure it meets the recommended R-30 value.
- Ensure downspouts and gutters are clear– If you live near trees, there is probably a large amount of organic matter that easily builds up in your gutters and can cause major drainage issues for them. You can prevent overflowing gutters by regularly rinsing and cleaning gutters and downspouts, or scheduling a professional gutter cleaning service.
- Take care of the irrigation system– Before the first frost descends, ensure your irrigation system doesn’t freeze by winterizing it. Turn the main water valve off and turn each valve on to let water drain out.
- Schedule an HVAC maintenance check– Call an HVAC contractor for a tune-up to make sure your ventilation, heating, and air conditioning system is running properly. The air filter in your furnace probably also needs to be replaced.
- Reverse your ceiling fans– When you reverse the switch on ceiling fans to a clockwise direction, you allow for better heat circulation by pushing warm air from the ceiling back down into the room.
Contact Us Today
Keeping your home in good shape requires proactive knowledge and maintenance. Craig D. Rolle is a top property damage claim attorney in Central Florida. Call Craig D. Rolle to schedule an appointment today.