Owning a home in Lake Tahoe is such a privilege because you get to enjoy the best that each season has to offer. That being said, owning a home in Tahoe means planning each fall to winterize your home. Here are some suggestions to prep your house fully for a Sierra Nevada winter:
Outside
- Install snow stakes along your walkways and driveway
- Chop and stack wood
- Wrap your trees and bushes that are young and fragile and susceptible to breakage from heavy snow
- Make sure your snow equipment (snow blower and shovels etc.) are in good working order
- Wrap your pipes and purchase faucet covers
- Inspect your roof and address any issues
- Have the roof checked out and make necessary repairs
- Clean your gutters to ensure proper drainage
- Check windows and doors for leaks and gaps
- Store your outdoor furniture in your garage or storage shed
- Drain and coil garden hoses
- Clean and reseal your deck and check for any nails that need to be hammered down, so they don’t interfere with your shoveling
- Check exterior walls and address any issues
- Fertilize your lawn
Inside
- Vacuum out your furnace, ensure vents and filters are clear and consider having it professionally cleaned
- Have your chimney cleaned
- Install weatherstripping
- Close the damper on your chimney
- Have your furnace professionally serviced
- Seal furnace ducts and replace filters
- Use caulk and insulating foam sealant to stamp out household leaks
- Change ceiling fan blades to clockwise
And of course, don’t forget your snow tires, your ski pass, and getting your ski equipment tuned!
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