| ( ! ) Notice: Undefined variable: post_id in /var/www/clients/client465975/web633245/web/wp-content/themes/derooderelator/header.php on line 199 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Call Stack | ||||
| # | Time | Memory | Function | Location |
| 1 | 0.0001 | 360192 | {main}( ) | .../index.php:0 |
| 2 | 0.0272 | 437200 | require( '/var/www/clients/client465975/web633245/web/wp-blog-header.php' ) | .../index.php:22 |
| 3 | 0.4319 | 56167432 | require_once( '/var/www/clients/client465975/web633245/web/wp-includes/template-loader.php' ) | .../wp-blog-header.php:19 |
| 4 | 0.4335 | 56190248 | include( '/var/www/clients/client465975/web633245/web/wp-content/themes/derooderelator/single-post.php' ) | .../template-loader.php:106 |
| 5 | 0.4335 | 56190248 | get_header( ) | .../single-post.php:10 |
| 6 | 0.4335 | 56190624 | locate_template( ) | .../general-template.php:48 |
| 7 | 0.4336 | 56190960 | load_template( ) | .../template.php:725 |
| 8 | 0.4338 | 56233216 | require_once( '/var/www/clients/client465975/web633245/web/wp-content/themes/derooderelator/header.php' ) | .../template.php:790 |
You might be a Minnesotan if you’ve ever worn shorts under 50 degrees. We’re one of a kind here. With the ‘most miserable winters’ in America, it’s no wonder it takes a special kind of person to live where we do. But if you’ve just moved here, or you want to make sure you’re dotting your i’s and crossing your t’s when it comes to caring for your home as the temperatures plummet, I wanted to share my top five tips!
1. Go Indoor Draft Hunting
Did you know that drafty windows and doorways can lower your home’s efficiency by 30%? If you have an infrared thermometer, you and the kids can have some fun while snowed in by identifying where cool air is sneaking in. Then plan to caulk or weather-strip those areas and see how much money you save on your gas or electric bill and if your home feels a bit warmer.
2. Check Your Gutters
Clogged gutters can cause frozen water to seep into your roof or eaves and cause a world of damage. Make sure your gutters are clear and that your outside spigots are drained to prevent any surprise water damage.
3. Add Insulation
If your attic, foundation, basement, or ducts are insulated, celebrate! These items need to have insulation. Heat can easily escape from these areas and make your home colder and your heating bill higher. Great insulation is also adds value when it comes time to sell your house. Check out all the areas that are notorious for heat loss.
4. Service Your Heating System
A bit of maintenance can prevent problems and a potential HVAC replacement. It’s a great time to check the water in your boiler, change the filters in your furnace, and be sure your thermostat batteries are fresh.
5. Remove Unhealthy and Dead Branches & Trees from Your Yard
Brave the cold and inspect your trees for disease. As our winter kicks into start, it’s vital that you have diseased and dead trees removed. Dead branches will likely come down in a snow storm. To prevent them from damaging what’s below, prune them now. You also don’t want a dead tree falling on your home or your neighbor’s, so have a tree removal service take down any that pose a threat. The investment for tree removal now is much less than the cost of repairing a roof.
Brutal, unbearable, unpredictable: no matter how others describe our Minnesota winters, I would never describe the Twin Cities as anything other than “home.” If you’re looking to buy a new home here in our wintery wonderland, please give me a call. I’m happy to help you find the perfect yard for your next snowman, a driveway that’s easier to plow, or picture winder where you can sip hot chocolate or tea and watch the snow pile up.
Image credit: rmcguirk | iStock | Getty Images Plus