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The post "Essential Home Maintenance Tips for End of Winter Storms" appeared first on Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life.

If you haven’t performed your annual home maintenance checks this winter, don’t think you can avoid them because the season’s almost over. End-of-winter storms are wreaking havoc on homes across the country, and homeowners who don’t maintain their properties to combat storms will likely incur costly repairs and possible health risks. Heavy wind, rain, ice, and snow can threaten your home’s structural integrity and damage critical systems. Frigid winter temperatures usually force homeowners to rely on indoor heating systems that may fail if not taken care of properly. Don’t be caught off guard because the weather is fine now. Attend to crucial yearly maintenance as soon as possible to save money, stay safe, and keep peace of mind. Here are some essential home maintenance tips you can review and take action on to avoid the surprise of damaged property, unsafe conditions, and costly repair bills.

Inspect Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors

Chilly weather often prompts homeowners to fire up the furnace or gather around the fireplace. For those who don’t have properly functioning carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, however, warm days and nights indoors might turn into family health risks. Make sure you test your detectors and change the batteries at least once this season, and keep in mind that carbon monoxide detectors typically last for three to five years, while smoke detectors last for eight to ten years.

Protect Pipes

Don’t neglect your plumbing if you live where water freezes. Protect your pipes from freezing and bursting by taking preventative measures like installing frost-proof spigots or closing interior shut-off valves leading to outdoor faucets. Wrap pipes in unheated areas, such as in basements and attics, with insulation.

Get a Furnace Inspection

If you haven’t had someone inspect your furnace this winter, it’s time to hire a professional. Faulty furnaces can cause fires that put homes and lives at risk. Additionally, older furnaces aren’t as energy efficient as modern ones, so having an expert check your system could lower your heating bill.

Inspect and Sweep Fireplaces and Chimneys

Fireplaces and chimneys cause almost three in ten fires associated with heating systems. This is reason enough to get a winter safety inspection on these systems if you haven’t already. But, consider too that you can get carbon monoxide poisoning from a blocked chimney or flue. Homeowners are also wise to do an annual check themselves for anything flammable set within a three-foot zone of a fireplace opening.

Clear Gutters

Before the next winter storm rolls around, ensure your gutters are clear of leaves, branches, and other debris that can cause water to pool and freeze over, leading to a blockage. If you see icicles hanging from your gutters, this is a good indication that a problem already needs immediate attention. Ice dams in gutters can fall and injure someone or build up to the point where they threaten your home’s exterior.

Check Exhaust Vents

Natural gas appliances like furnaces, water heaters, and fireplaces work overtime during winter storms, all emitting exhaust that must be directed outdoors. It’s important to check your exhaust vents for blockages and ensure all flap traps open correctly. Otherwise, hazardous fumes may enter your home and pose a health hazard. Additionally, blocked vents and traps can be a fire risk if materials trapped inside get too hot and combust.

Maintain Outdoor Utility Equipment

Outdoor utility panels and meters must be clear of ice and snow to function properly and safely. If you haven’t given your utility equipment a winter check, do it before the next storm hits. Remember that you should never use heat to melt ice or snow from a utility panel or meter. Also, avoid hitting the panel and meter if you have to shovel snow around them.

 Put an Emergency Kit Together

Harsh and violent winter storms may cause power outages, block exterior doors, and bring on other issues that disrupt your comfort and safety. Be prepared by having a well-stocked emergency kit in your home. Stock your kit with extra food and water (for babies and pets, too), an emergency blanket, foot and hand warmers, medications, bandages, clothing, a flashlight, an ice scraper, a Swiss army knife, and a two-way radio (hand, battery, or solar-powered). As extra safety measures, ensure all household members know your family’s evacuation plan and all pets have an ID tag on their collar.

Do you want to talk to a real estate professional about getting your home ready to sell this winter or in the upcoming months? Contact Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate® for a consultation.

Source: Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Choosing a moving company can be a challenge. It’s often difficult to know what you need and the questions to ask—and how to avoid falling victim to the schemes moving companies sometimes perpetrate on unsuspecting customers. There are a myriad of charges that come with moving a household—fees for supplies, labor, transportation, and other related items and activities. Many moving companies have unusual policies (like charging double travel time) that can be confusing or not adequately disclosed. So, how do you navigate all of this without losing precious time, money, or sanity? What’s the best way to understand exactly what your move requires and the services a moving company offers, and then choose a mover that best meets those needs? The Better Business Bureau (BBB) says that most moving company complaints stem from consumers being upset that the mover damaged items, arrived late, billed for unworked hours, or didn’t honor estimates (bait and switch). Your goal is to find a moving company that’s transparent in its offerings, does what it says it’ll do, and charges correctly when the job is done. If you can locate a company that does all of this—and hopefully goes above and beyond—you’ll find that gem that every homeowner hopes for. Moving is stressful. You don’t need to add more to your already-loaded plate by getting wrapped up with companies that provide unwanted problems instead of trustworthy service. Before you hire your next mover, take the time to read this guide on how to choose a moving company. Review the things you should look for in a mover. Go through our tips on choosing a reliable moving company and familiarize yourself with common scams to avoid.

 Get Referrals 

Ask friends, family, and neighbors who they’ve used to move their belongings. If you’re working with a real estate agent, get referrals for moving companies with an outstanding track record.

 Ask for Quotes 

Get quotes from at least three movers. Ask them if they charge by the hour or a flat rate (if a flat rate, how many hours of service do you get and what do they charge for overtime?)—and inquire about how many movers the company will assign to your job. Is there a fee for miles, gas, or travel time? What supplies does the mover provide (are there any mandatory charges for blankets, bubble wrap, moving dollies, etc.)? Do they need to see your belongings before giving a guaranteed quote? There are other price-based questions you can ask, depending on your specific scenario, but this should get you moving in the right direction.

Look for Red Flags 

Most moving companies won’t charge a deposit before moving your items, so avoid those that do. A mover shouldn’t be anxious to get money from you. Movers who are vague and don’t want to answer questions should raise a huge red flag. Note the professionalism of all company representatives you talk to. Ask movers if they own or rent their van or truck (a reliable moving company will own a van or truck).

 Ensure the Mover is Licensed and Insured 

All licensed interstate moving companies must have a U.S. Dot number issued by The United States Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). If you’re moving out of state, you can verify the company’s license through the FMCSA’s website. You can also view the company’s DOT number on the FMCSA website. Are you moving within the state? Investigate any company you’re considering by looking up its business profile through your state’s local consumer affairs agency.

 Check the Better Business Bureau 

Research all potential moving companies by reviewing their BBB ratings and any complaints against the providers (don’t consider any companies that don’t have a BBB profile or rating). Ideally, the company you choose should have BBB accreditation.

 Inquire About Trade Association Accreditation 

Go to the moving company’s website and look for an approved seal or logo that distinguishes the mover as part of a related industry trade association or organization. Good movers will probably have the American Moving and Storage Association’s ProMover logo on their website or marketing materials. You can also look up moving companies on the American Moving and Storage Association’s website to see if they’re members in good standing.

 Verify the Company’s Address 

The moving company you choose should have a brick-and-mortar location and the mover’s address should be listed as business—either in search engine listings or moving company directories. Don’t consider any mover with an address that points to a residential property.

 More Tips for Choosing a Reliable Moving Company 

Don’t stop your investigation after moving through the guidelines above. Before signing a moving contract, do the following:

• Ask if the company will take an inventory of all your items
• Get a written estimate
• Avoid companies that recently changed their business name
• Inquire about extra fees for moving to or from properties with stairs or elevators
• Ensure there are no blank spaces on your moving contract
• Be wary of guaranteed quotes unless you get them in writing
• Ask about moving insurance

 How to Avoid Moving Scams 

The most common moving scams that you should be aware of include:

• Bait and switch—when a moving company switches the time or day of your move at the last minute and the move ends up costing you more
• Late pickup or delivery—the mover arrives late, pushing you into a more expensive time slot (or they don’t deliver your items on time, sometimes taking longer than expected to get to your new location so they can charge you more)
• Exorbitant delivery charges and hold hostage—movers occasionally add additional costs to your total and won’t give you your items until you pay all the fees (or fight them)

Are you looking to sell or buy a new home? Let Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate® walk you through the process.

Source: Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life