Winters in Pennsylvania can often be brutal. It is a great idea to make sure that you and your home are ready for it. These steps will ensure your new home in withstands the harsh bite of winter as much as possible.

Clean Your Chimney

Whether you use your wood-burning fireplace often or not at all, having a clean chimney is essential. Hiring a chimney sweep to clean your chimney from top to bottom will allow you to use your fireplace on those cold winter days without worrying about potential chimney fires.

You should also ask the sweep to check for bird or animal nests in the chimney, and make sure the damper is working properly and capped with screening to keep out animals.

Ceiling Fan in Reverse

Hot air rises; but in the winter, we want that hot air to stay close to the ground, so that it keeps your home nice and cozy. Many ceiling fans have a reverse direction, which will drive that warm air down to the floor.

Clean Your Gutters

Once all the leaves have fallen around your home, it is always a good idea to clean the gutters before the winter rains or snow starts. Clear all of the debris and leaves from the gutters, and give them a good rinse with the hose. You can also take this chance to inspect the gutters to make sure they are in good condition

It is Important to Inspect the Furnace

Losing your heat in the dead of winter is something you definitely do not want happening at your Mainline home, so inspecting your furnace before the cold arrives is a superb idea. Call in your local HVAC inspector, who will tell you if your furnace is running optimally or if it needs to be replaced.

Turn Off Outside Water

Turning off your outside taps and taking off any attached hoses is essential during the winter, as temperatures as high as 32 F can freeze your faucets. You should also coil up your hoses and put them away; if they have any water in them at all during the winter, they can freeze and break.

If you have any questions about how you should maintain your house for any of the seasons, the new home specialists at Bentley Homes are here to help. Feel free to reach out to us!