5 Steps to Prepare Your Home for the Snow and Cold in Alaska

The end of September is here! Summer is officially over and the warmer temperatures are behind us— now is the time to start preparing your home in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Eagle River, North Pole, Palmer and Wasilla for the snow and cold that have seemingly already set in! So whether you've just purchased a new property in Alaska or you've happily settled into your dream home, consider the following tips for protecting it against the fall and winter elements.

Start outside
Before the temperatures drop even further, start outside your home by disconnecting any hoses from spigots, clearing gutters and outside drains so rain and snow can properly travel and freeing walkways of any leaves, tree branches or overgrown landscaping. Cleaning your gutters is one of the most important tasks you can cross off your list this month as failing to do so could lead to seepage into your Alaskan home.

Head up to the roof
While you're outside your home in Alaska, take some time to examine your roof for loose, damaged or missing shingles that could leak when the rain and snow arrive. Replacing these now can help you avoid a larger homeowner headache down the road! Next, move on to inspect the seals around vent stacks and chimneys to ensure both are in proper working order. If you haven't done so recently, have your chimney cleaned to eliminate a potential fire hazard. 

Identify energy leaks
The last thing you want when the weather turns cold is a drafty house. Walk around your home in Fairbanks, Anchorage, North Pole, Wasilla and the surrounding communities feeling windows and exterior doorways for places where air may be escaping. It is common for air to leak through these areas and as a result, it will force your heating system to work harder and cost you more to heat the property. Use caulk to seal any cracks you notice and weatherstripping to seal windows and doors. 

Revisit your heating system
Have you turned on the heat yet in your Alaskan home? Now is the time to give it a good cleaning and remove any sediment build-up that may have occurred over the past several months. Replace your furnace filter to maximize air flow and energy efficiency. It may also be wise to have a technician inspect your heating system now to avoid being the last in line as we head into October and November. 

Replace light bulbs
The fall and winter months mean less daylight for residents of Alaska and thus, more lights switched on inside your home. Replace the current light bulbs in your outdoor lights as well as indoor lamps and light fixtures with energy-efficient bulbs to ensure you're saving as much money as possible. Not only will these light bulbs use 25 to 80 less energy than traditional light bulbs, but they will also last as much as 25 times longer.

Alaska is a beautiful place to call home and at Madden Real Estate, it is our top priority to guide you through the process of buying or selling a property this year, no matter the season. With our industry experience and knowledge of the area, we can help make your transition to your next home as seamless as possible.

Contact us today!

Wes Madden, CEO
Madden Real Estate
(907) 452-3000
Wes@WesMadden.com

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