Preparing For The Holidays

 

We all know the cooler weather is the time that we reach for the pumpkin spice latte’s or indulge in a peppermint mocha. For many of us, the holidays are our favorite time of year. Spending extra time with friends and family, we often put aside the things we need to get done to prepare our homes for the holiday festivities. Well, my friend I am here with a check list to make sure your time with guests is spent soaking it all in and not worrying about what you forgot to do.

To start, make sure to give close attention to both the inside and outside of your house. Colder weather is just around the corner, and we want to be ready when it gets here.

Starting with the outside, check for cracks in your driveway, we don’t often think about this but with the temperatures change, the asphalt will expand when going from hot to cold. Catch them before they can create further damage, costing you more money when the warmer weather ushers back in.

Next drain hoses and outdoor faucets, this will help them not freeze if temperatures drop below average. Also, don’t forget to clean out your gutters, freeing them of all dirt and debris. Free flowing gutters will help ensure water can easily drain and prevent you from getting leaks into your interior space.

Don’t forget to show some love to your outdoor plants too. Our Florida plants are used to the warmer temperatures we get in the hot summer heat. The cooler temperatures can wreak havoc on them, have your extra sheets on hand to offer them extra protection when a freeze is anticipated. Having them pulled out and ready to go will make them more accessible when that time comes.

Now that the exterior of your house is prepared for the cooler weather, lets move in the inside of your house. Now is the time to take care of the drafts you have been feeling, they can be quite costly if left unrepaired and will keep your home colder when temperatures start to drop. Grab some weather stripping to help seal up drafts and prevent heat loss during the winter months. Plus, this will help keep the cool air during the summer months.

Last but definitely not least, take a look at your current window treatments. Ask yourself, are my treatments proving the most insulation for my windows? Choosing quality window treatments for your windows will help ensure your temperatures stay regulated in your home, offering your guests, the warm and cozy environment that they have been longing for.

I hope this gives you peace of mind and allows you to be more present this holiday season! We at Statewide Blinds hope you enjoy time with your loved ones and look forward to giving you more Tips next Tuesday! Until next time.