Purchasing a new Atlanta home from Monte Hewett Homes is an investment, and an additional responsibility of becoming a homeowner is making sure you properly protect your investment. Tending to regular home maintenance is a large part of protecting your home, and with the first frosty nights occurring in Atlanta this week, now is the time to make sure your home is properly prepped for Old Man Winter.

If you are searching for the best ways to winterize your home, here are our top 10 tips:

1. Surface cracks: Cracks in concrete driveways, sidewalks and patios can rapidly grow into large cracks during the winter, so use a concrete sealant to quickly solve surface problems. If there are cracks in brick sidewalks or structures, make sure to use a masonry sealant instead.
2. Furnaces: Turn your heat on to make sure it’s working. An odd smell is usual when you first turn it on, but if it persists, shut down the furnace and call a professional. Make sure to change or inspect your filters at least once a month while your heat is running.
3. Fireplaces: Take the time to inspect and clean your chimney before you light your first winter fire. To prevent damage, having your chimney professionally clean every year is advised.
4. Water Pipes: Before freezing nights hit, shut off all outdoor water faucets unless they are specifically designed for year-round use and make sure the lines are drained. Search for water pipes that go into your home that aren’t insulated or that pass through heated spaces, and wrap them with pre-molded foam rubber sleeves or insulation.
5. Ceiling fans: Reverse the direction on your fan to make sure that the blades are pushing the heat downward, since heat rises.
6. Gutters: Once the leaves fall, remove them and other debris from your home’s gutters. Clogged gutters can form ice dams, where water backs up, freezes and causes water to seep into the house. Also, make sure the downspouts are carrying water away from the house’s foundation to prevent flooding or other water damage.
7. Door sweeps: Purchase door sweeps to close the spaces under exterior doors, keeping the cold air out and the heat in.
8. Air ducts: Blocked, damaged or disconnected air ducts can cause you to lose up to 60 percent of the heat before it reaches the vents. While ducts aren’t always easy to see, you can usually find some in the attic, basement and crawlspaces. Check for and repair places that are pinched by a pipe, which slows air flow, and make sure there are no gaps in the ducts. Repair any gaps or tears with metal-backed tape.
9. Windows: If you have an older home that does not have storm windows, now is a great time to make an upgrade. While they are expensive, they will save you a significant amount of money on heating and air costs over the lifetime of the home.
10. Trees: Trim any tree branches that hang over any part of your home, driveway or other structures. Ice can weigh them down and potentially cause them to break and fall onto your home or vehicles.

With Monte Hewett Homes, you will find multiple new home communities throughout metro Atlanta that provide a wide range of home styles and prices. Every home from Monte Hewett comes with luxury features, custom designs and environmentally friendly construction. To find out more information about the new metro Atlanta homes from Monte Hewett Homes, visit www.MHHomes.com.