Google+

news/blog

Winterizing Your Home

December 20, 2016

Winterizing Your Home

With temperatures beginning to drop and the Holidays getting closer, you’ve probably already switched the heat on and pulled your winter coat out of storage. Making sure your home is prepared for winter is a good way to keep energy costs low and help prevent costly repairs. Tropicana Homes put together a checklist to help you get your home ready for winter.

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning

  • Clean or replace the air filter in your furnace, it will improve the air quality and maximize the efficiency.
  • Check all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are in working order.
  • Program the thermostat to save on energy costs.
  • Switch ceiling fans to reverse/clockwise position, which will blow the warm air down to the floor.
  • Examine exposed ducts in the attic or crawl space and plug any leaks with sealant.
  • Flush hot water tanks to remove sediment and check the pressure relief valve to ensure it’s functioning properly.

Lawn, Garden and Deck/Balcony

  • Trim branches that interfere with electrical wires or are too close to the home, it will prevent iced-over or wind-blown branches from causing power outages or damage to the home.
  • Ensure rain and snow drain away from the home to avoid foundation issues. The dirt grade should slope away from the house. Add extra dirt to low areas as necessary.
  • Remove hoses from outdoor faucets and shut off exterior faucets, outdoor pipes, valves and sprinkler heads to avoid pipe bursts.
  • Inspect deck or balcony for splintering and treat, if needed, to prevent further deterioration over the winter.

Windows, Doors and Exterior

  • Check the weather-stripping around all windows and doors to locate leaks, replace if necessary to prevent heat loss.
  • Check for drafts around windows and doors, caulk inside and out if necessary, to keep heat from escaping.
  • Examine window frames and exterior wood, stucco and mortar for signs of deterioration. Repair as necessary to maintain integrity and appearance.
  • Inspect windows for cracks and gaps, replace as needed.

Roofs and Drains

  • Check for missing or damaged shingles and replace as necessary.
  • Reseal all seals around pipes, skylights and penetrations in your roof.
  • Ensure all vents, eaves and openings are covered to prevent unwanted creatures from attempting to nest in a warm place.
  • Clean leaves and debris from any exterior drains to prevent blockages.
  • Check for deteriorated flashing at the chimney, walls, skylights and around vent pipes. Seal joints where water could penetrate, using roofing cement and a caulking gun.

This list isn’t exhaustive and your home may have special features that need additional attention, but this will get you started on preparing your home for winter. Periodic checks will help you identify areas that need attention and help prevent costly repairs or emergency maintenance.

KTSM-News Channel 9 Interview w/ Bobby Bowling IV- Small Town Spotlight: Vinton/Westway
KTSM-NEWS CHANNEL 9 INTERVIEW W/ BOBBY BOWLING IV- SMALL TOWN SPOTLIGHT: VINTON/WESTWAY
July 19, 2023

LOCAL Small Town Spotlight: Vinton/Westway by: Tawny Davis

Posted: Jul 19, 2023 / 11:19 AM MDT

Updated: Jul 19, 2023 / 05:28 PM MDT

VINTON, Texas (KTSM) – The Village of Vinton was established in 1961 and has hundreds of families that have called it their home. However, the lack of water and sewer infrastructure has plagued the community, forcing them to go to great lengths in order…

READ MORE
Tropicana Properties Scholarship Recipient Graduates with Honors
TROPICANA PROPERTIES SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT GRADUATES WITH HONORS
July 6, 2023

Michael Gonzalez, one of the recipients of the Tropicana Properties series of scholarships awarded in 2022, has graduated with honors from the Western Tech Welding Program. Back in November 2022, Tropicana Properties awarded two residents with over $60,000 in scholarships to attend Western Community College. The recipients, Michael Gonzalez who just graduated and Richard Oquendo were each…

READ MORE
 Tropicana Properties Awards Two Full Scholarships to Residents / Commits to Provide Four Additional Scholarships in 2023
TROPICANA PROPERTIES AWARDS TWO FULL SCHOLARSHIPS TO RESIDENTS / COMMITS TO PROVIDE FOUR ADDITIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS IN 2023
November 3, 2022

Tropicana Properties awarded two residents today with over $60,000 in scholarships to attend Western Tech College. The recipients, Michael Gonzalez, resident at Castner Palms and Richard Oquendo, resident at Patriot Palms, were each presented with their checks by Bobby Bowling IV and Randy Bowling, owners of Tropicana Properties. The company announced it will additionally award four more…

READ MORE

Sign Up for E-mail Updates!