For residents of Triple A’s custom-built homes, the craftsmanship can be found in every detail, from the beautiful brick facades outside to the fabulous finishes inside. As winter arrives, these stunning homes will benefit from seasonal care, a task that can be overwhelming for new homeowners. While central North Carolina winters are generally mild, the gentle chill, occasional freeze, and swings between damp and dry air can put stress on surfaces and systems if your home is not prepared.
Before you settle in by the fireplace for cozy nights that beat the cold, take steps to prepare your home, inside and out, for an efficient and comfortable winter season.
Prioritize Heating Protection: Your home’s HVAC system is the heart of your home’s comfort and, as temperatures drop, it’s about to shine! Triple A Homes uses energy-efficient systems that are designed for performance, but a quick tune-up will keep yours in top shape.
- Schedule a Professional Inspection: A licensed HVAC tech should inspect your heat exchangers, calibrate your thermostats, and check for leaks annually, even if your system is relatively new. Schedule this before that first cold snap to avoid the rush! Many local HVAC companies offer service plans that include seasonal tune-ups which can reduce costly surprises.
- Change Your Filters: New construction homes may be a bit dusty as lingering drywall powder slips into vents. Add a reminder to your calendar to replace your air filters monthly throughout the winter for a cleaner environment and better airflow.
- Test Your Thermostat: Smart Thermostats often have a learning curve for those new to using them. Do a few test runs before temperatures drop to make sure you understand how to use yours most efficiently. While you’re at it, program your thermostat to automatically lower the temperature at night or while you’re out of the house for ideal comfort that doesn’t waste energy.
- Reverse Your Ceiling Fans: Newly installed ceiling fans include a small switch near their base that allows movement to change directions per the season’s needs. In the winter, set your blades to spin clockwise to push warm air back down into each room. Set another calendar reminder to switch those blades counterclockwise in the spring!
Seal and Save! Even brand-new homes can have small gaps that let cold air sneak in and your heat drift out. Triple A Homes’ precision construction keeps drafts minimal, but it’s still smart to double-check regularly.
- Inspect Weatherstripping around all exterior doors and windows. Over time, temperature changes can cause a slight compression. If you do find flattened or cracked sections, replace them promptly.
- Check Thresholds and Garage Doors: The flexible rubber sweep at the base of your doors (including on the garage) should always make solid contact with the floor. This will block cold air from creating that drafty feeling.
- Close Fireplace Dampers when not in use. While many forget to close that fireplace damper, leaving it open is on par with leaving a window open. When it’s not in use, close it!
Need a quick, do-it-yourself test method? On a breezy day, hold a lit candle near windows or door edges; if the flame flickers, it should be sealed. Your home will be more comfortable, and you could see savings on your monthly utilities.
Protect Your Pipes: In central North Carolina, most winters dip below freezing just a handful of times. When they do, frozen pipes are the most common and costly victims.
- Disconnect Garden Hoses and shut off outdoor spigots now so that you don’t forget later. Turn off the spigots at the interior valve and then open the exterior valve to let residual water drain.
- Faucet Covers are a great addition to outdoor spigots. These inexpensive foam domes can be a lifesaver when temperatures plummet.
- Locate Your Main Water Shut Off! Show everyone in your household where the main water shut-off is located and remind them of its location regularly. In the rare event of a freeze or leak, being able to shut your water off quickly is essential.
- Keep Interior Pipes Cozy: If your home has plumbing near exterior walls (especially in garages or bonus rooms), keep those areas above 55°F. On unusually cold nights, you may leave the faucet fed by those pipes on a slow drip to avoid a freeze.
- Extreme Freeze? During extreme cold snaps, open the cabinet doors under each sink to allow warm air to circulate around your pipes.
Prepare Your Outdoor Spaces: One of the joys of a Triple A Home’s property is the stunning outdoor living space! Give screened porches, patios, and lush landscaping a little TLC before Old Man Winter arrives.
- Patio Furniture: Whether you store or cover your patio furniture, you will extend its life. Moisture and freezing temperatures can quickly damage metal frames and fabrics.
- Outdoor Kitchens: Clean and winterize outdoor kitchens by shutting off water lines to sinks, cleaning every cooking surface thoroughly, and covering all appliances with weatherproof covers.
- Trim Trees and Shrubs: Remove any dead branches from trees, as, if left alone, they could fall during wind or ice events, damaging your property. Giving shrubs a good trim will reduce shadows on walkways, allowing them to dry more quickly.
- Drain irrigation Systems: If you have an irrigation system, have it professionally blown out now so that residual water doesn’t crack lines later, during spans of freezing temperatures.
- Slip Prevention! Even though heavy snow is rare here, freezing rain happens. Keep a small supply of pet-safe de-icer on hand for walkways and steps.
Gutters, Roofs, and Drainage: Your roof, gutters, and drainage system are the quiet heroes outside your home, protecting it all year long. Winter really puts them to the test!
- Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts of leaves, pine needles, and roof grit, as these can impede the flow of water. Clogged gutters often cause overflows that may freeze on walkways or creep under shingles.
- Inspect Your Roof visually with a pair of binoculars. Check for lifted shingles or flashing gaps after autumn storms and get them repaired before winter.
- Foundation Check! While Triple A Homes’ precise grading and foundations are designed to do much of the work for you, a quick look before winter will give you even more peace of mind. Make sure soil or mulch slopes away from your home, as this will prevent winter rain from pooling around your foundation.
Test Safety Devices, as winter is the peak season for indoor heating. Properly working safety devices are essential.
- Replace Batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. If you have hard-wired devices, test that backup battery.
- Fire Extinguishers: Make sure your fire extinguishers are charged and easily accessible, especially in the kitchen. Make sure everyone in your home knows where they are and how to use them.
- Review Your Fireplace Operation: If you have a gas fireplace, test it for proper ignition and ventilation. Wood-burning fireplaces should have their chimneys inspected every other year for buildup.
One-Time Tasks: The first winter in your new Triple A home will be filled with merriment and memories! It is also a great opportunity to set good habits.
- Review Your Maintenance Manual: Triple A Homes provides a guide with recommended seasonal checks. Keep it handy and use it to create reminders on your calendar.
- Check Your Attic’s Insulation Depth: Proper insulation not only lowers energy bills but prevents that “too-hot upstairs, too-cold downstairs” feeling.
- Walk the Perimeter After Heavy Rain: Look for any pooling near foundation vents or drainage paths that might need some attention.
- Create a Maintenance Folder: Save all receipts from service calls and warranties. This folder will become a valued resource!
Triple A Homes designs every residence with North Carolina’s four-season climate in mind, from advanced insulation and energy-efficient windows to expertly sealed crawl spaces and durable exterior materials. Your home was built to perform beautifully, and regular maintenance will keep it that way. By investing a weekend or two for winter prep now, you will protect your investment, improve comfort, and ensure your home continues to live up to our promise of craftsmanship and care.
Are you in the market for a beautifully built, custom home? The team at Triple A Homes has the perfect floorplan in the perfect location waiting for you!