Tips to Keep Your House in Tip-Top Shape During Winter!

When we lived in the North Carolina mountains and had rough winters. We had to learn to winterize our home. This is something we ever had to do when we lived in Florida! But in the mountains or here at the coast of North Carolina, there are things we have to do to make sure our home stays safe and warm during the winter.

Luckily, licensed contractor and TV home-improvement expert David Leon from Home Made Simple on the Oprah Winfrey Network has provided the following tips to help make your home as comfy as possible this season.

These are great tips that everyone should follow. Trust me, one of our friends had their pipes burst one year and it was not pretty. Help protect your home and family this winter:

* Heating system and air filters – Have your heating system serviced every year and check the filters system every month. Also, inspect your system’s exhaust vent for rust, damage, or any corrosion.

* Seal the leaks – Check to make sure your doors and windows are properly sealed so heat doesn’t escape. Inspect caulking and weather stripping around openings for wear and tear, and replace if necessary.

* Plumbing – Busted water pipes can cause expensive damage. Take time now to wrap outside pipes that might be exposed to extreme temperatures. Review the locations for the main water and fuel shut-off valves with all members of your household.

* Have a plan - When you own a home, you know that things are going to break down – but when it happens, do you know who you’ll call or what you’ll do? A home warranty is a great way to protect your budget against costly repairs, and save yourself the time and hassle of finding a qualified professional to get major systems and appliances up and running again.

And here are some more helpful tips. I like these because we did have a problem with our gas fireplace in our new house and had to call the gas company. I also use space heaters since we try not to heat the whole house:

* Always be aware of gas odors. If you smell gas around your heating unit, leave the area and call your gas company immediately.Be sure your pilot light is burning a steady blue flame. If it is not, call your heating professional or a gas company.

* Take a close look at your exhaust fan for any rust, damage or deterioration. If you notice any, call a qualified professional and describe what you see to determine whether a repair is needed.

* Take extra care with space heaters. They should be plugged directly into a wall outlet, never into an extension cord, and turned off at night. When in use, always be sure space heaters are a safe distance from curtains and other flammable items.

American Home Shield, the nation’s leading provider of home protection plans, has some great videos that can help you this winter. Homeowners can watch helpful videos about a variety of home maintenance tips and home heating warning signs at . The informational videos are hosted by David Leon. American Home Shield also publishes the Home Matters blog, a resource to help homeowners balance their busy lives with tips and news on everything home.

How do you winterize your home?