Tag Archives: weather

Feb15

A Welcome Letter To Spring

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A Welcome Letter To Spring

Hi everyone and welcome, welcome, welcome to my Think Spring guest bloggers series. This six day extravaganza was created to help everyone shake away the blahs of winter by celebrating all things spring. From creative writing and spring cleaning tips to the perfect soft spring time makeup looks, this series has it all. To kick start the fun, this series will start out with A Welcome Letter To Spring by my dear friend, Tanya, over at TanyaTales. Her blog will help take your imagination to a new level and I encourage everyone to check it out! Now, let’s get to it:

A Welcome Letter To Spring:

Dear Spring,

In truth, I know it has only been a year since we have been apart and though I know you have only just returned I fear that soon you will depart. A year may not be long in the grand scheme of things but it has given me a chance to reconsider what each month you offer me brings. I look upon the long and difficult year I seem to have ahead of me and see not tasks or challenges but the four seasons of which there will be. The winter, the autumn, the summer and not to forget you. For spring is the season which starts the cycle of life brand new.

Each seasons in the year presents its own role within the family and you, young spring, know your role as the bringer of life and vitality. You are a fresh start, of that I am sure, and act as a constant reminder that when god closes a window he opens a door. You are my favorite of all the seasons and this letter should outline all of my reasons. While most choose to ignore your friendly and gentle breeze which causes the grass to shiver slightly and shake the high standing trees, I chose to see only the good for us you do and although it isn’t acknowledged by many it is appreciated by us few.

The way you dress giggling children, hooded and footed in rain boots and coats as they jump in puddles pretending to be pirate boats as across the sea they float. While you, dear spring, watch on quietly not seeking attention or feeling need to gloat. Your breeze fills their sails and creates new tales of which they will play out. Untold tales of undiscovered lands and shores which glitter with multi colored sands.

But as children grow into young teens your spring days are suddenly given very different means. It offers new tales of bright and blossoming love in the time old image of flying white doves. Fluttering through the sky their feathers floating to the ground as they fall around us without making a sound.

Your days they bring images of fluffy yellow ducklings breaking free from the confinements of their shells and brings pictures of babies, pure and innocent, taking their first breath and telling worried mothers that they are alive and well. As fresh air fills every newborn’s room with clean and fresh scents of flowers in bloom and your unpredictable April showers rain down on young birds chirping in the early hours. As dams are built by busy beavers, message of your arrival spreads in the form of hay-fever.

Oh spring, you may not offer the hot and relaxing summer holidays but you bring back stolen light in a warm spring blaze. You wash away the winter snow while placing glistening dew on the green grass which glows. You put back the leaves which autumn took away and by the time the year reaches May, our windows are graced with bright pastel colors and beautiful leaves which takes out the anguish every time you make me sneeze.

Oh spring, if I am only sure of one thing it is that, I am most definitely glad that you have come back.

^^^ Thank you again to Tanya for such a beautiful post to start the Think Spring guest bloggers series with. Tanya offers new pieces of creative writing on her blog every Friday at 7 PM so definitely take a look if you like the piece that she wrote special for lifewithlilred. What images comes to mind when you think of spring? What is your favorite season? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb8

Don’t Let Your Dream Home Become A Nightmare

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Did you fall in love with your new home the moment you pulled up in the driveway? If you’ve bought a new house, and you’re convinced that it’s perfect, the last thing you want is for a dream to become a nightmare. If you’re hoping to create a relaxing retreat where you can chill out and enjoy quality time together, here are some tips to help you steer clear of new home nightmares:

Address Problems As A Priority: If you’ve had a survey done, and it’s flagged up issues, it’s vital to get these problems seen to as a priority. The longer you leave them, the worse they’ll become, and the more you’ll need to spend. If you’ve got loose tiles on the roof, for example, call a few roofing firms, and get some quotes. If you have lots of jobs to do, make a list in order of importance, and tackle the most pressing issues first.

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Replace Outdated Systems, Units, and Appliances: When you move into a new home, it’s an ideal opportunity to embrace new technology and make your home more efficient and cost-effective. If you have dated heating systems, electrical appliances or air conditioning units, for example, now is the time to think about replacing them with newer versions. The upfront cost may be significant, but you can save a lot of money in the long-run. You’ll also have peace of mind that you’re not going to end up with a broken furnace in the middle of winter or no air conditioning in the height of the summer.

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Get a Hold On The Figures: If you’re having work done to your home, make sure that you have a firm handle on the figures. You need to know exactly how much each job will cost so that you can draw up a budget. If you can’t afford to have everything done at once, you can carry out work in stages in order of importance. Now is a great time to get some quotes from different professionals in your area to see who might fit in your budget. Simply enter a search for “General contractor in Beverly Hills, CA” or your local area to see who could be a good fit for your project.

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Ballin on a budget

Protect Your Home: Your home is your most important financial asset, so it’s important to do everything that you can to protect it. Even if you plan to move in the next 5 years or so, taking steps to prevent damage will increase your chances of making money when it comes to selling. If you’ve moved to your forever home, protecting it from the outside will prolong its lifespan and save you money. There are various things that you can do to keep your home safe, including weatherproofing it and investing in security measures.

Take a look at www.MountainHomeBuildingProducts.com to find products to protect your home from the elements, and consider installing a home security system. If you live in an area exposed to hurricanes or heavy rainfall, it’s a good idea to take additional steps. You may want to fit shutters or strengthened glass, for example. For more tips, you may find http://www.cbsnews.com/media/10-ways-to-prepare-your-home-for-hurricane-season/ useful.

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 Yikes!!

Nobody wants to move into their dream home only for it to turn into a nightmare. If you’ve bought a house or you’re moved recently, hopefully, these tips and tricks will ensure that you’re blissfully happy in your home for years to come.

Feb8

Don’t Have A Snow-Mare!

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Don’t Have A Snow-Mare!

Experiencing some snow during February is common. The weather is still rather frosty, leaving us vulnerable for a snowstorm. But a lot of people aren’t prepared for when it hits. Here’s how to prepare for a snowstorm, so you don’t end up having a snow-mare!

Get a Good Shovel to Remove the Snow: When a snowstorm hits, it can cause your garden to be full of the thick snow. And as you might know, if it’s not removed quickly, it could end up ruining your plants. Get a good shovel which you can keep in your shed. That way, when the snow arrives, you can quickly get it out and start removing the white snow from your garden before it turns into ice. A shovel or snowblower will come in handy to remove snow from your paths and driveway, too. And make sure you get one which has been designed to deal with snow so that it doesn’t end up frozen while you are trying to remove the snow from problem areas.

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Brr!

Find a Good Company to Deal With the Path: As much as you can attempt to move the snow yourself, it can sometimes be easier to call a professional to do it for you. A company can quickly remove the snow from your sidewalk and drive, and they can also clear your road so that you can drive safely to work. It can be a godsend if your roads are quite hilly. Before the snow arrives, make sure you write down the name and number of a company similar to General Services Corporation who will come out to your home after a snowstorm. That way, you can ring them quickly if the bad weather does arrive soon.

Ensure You Have a Scraper and Defroster For Your Car: One of the worst things about snow is that it can make transportation a nightmare. For one thing, it’s more dangerous to hit the roads when there is snow around, as you might struggle to steer properly and might slide out of your lane. And not only this, but it can take forever in the morning to clear it. Hence the late mornings and apologies to your boss. To ensure that you get a clear windshield sooner rather than later when snow hits, you need to have the tools ready to deal with the window. You should get an ice scraper which will allow you to scrape any snow and ice away. And a defroster is also fantastic to get rid of any ice sitting on your car. In fact, it can make it much easier to scrape it once you have used the handy stuff on your vehicle.

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Yikes!

And make sure you prepare yourself for a snow storm. You need a good waterproof coat which will keep you warm and dry in the event of snow. Get gloves for your hands when scraping the car, and a warm scarf to protect your skin from the harsh weather!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Feb3

Making Sure Our Loved Ones Are Kept Safe and Warm This Winter

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Making Sure Our Loved Ones Are Kept Safe and Warm This Winter

Winter can be tough on all of us. There are driveways to shovel, cars to be de-iced, long hours just trying to get warm after an excursion into the outdoors. These are the problems that all of face during the chilly season, but not all of us are able to stay ahead of winter’s pesky cold. Older people in particular may find it more difficult to fend off winter’s bite, be it through lack of finances or energy. That’s why it’s our duty to help out and make sure they have everything they need to stay warm. This doesn’t have to be a massive, time consuming task: just keep them in mind when the weather gets particularly cold and make yourself available to help out should it be needed.

Warm Clothing: There’s no better way to prevent the onset of a cold than to dress properly. Elderly people are less likely to be aware of a change in the weather, and may not fully realize that they should be wearing more or better clothing than they are. If you have the ability to do so, buy a couple of extra warm fleeces and thermals and take them round to your elderly relatives. You can also make make sure that they have enough warm bedding to make it through the night without getting chilly, such as additional blankets. If they don’t have one already, a hot water bottle is the perfect cost effective way to make sure that they’re OK.

House Check: Depending on the size of the home, it might not be so straightforward to ensure that it’s always kept warm. A lot of older people also don’t like to use their heating because of the high costs that some systems can attract. To begin with, you can go to the home and do an inventory, of sorts, to make sure that they’re set up to have a warm house. This means checking that the furnace ignitor is in working order, that there are no obvious open drafty areas letting cold air into the house, and that the pipes that feed heat throughout the home are in good condition. If they’re worried about the cost of heating the home, you can suggest reducing the heat to some unused rooms in the house, which will lower the bills. Also, keeping an eye on the outside of the property to make sure it’s not slippery could be a huge help.

Out and About: It sometimes happens that older people spend longer than usual outside in the cold weather than they should. This is especially damaging even if they’re properly dressed, because there are still risks of being outside for long periods of time. You can help by offering to drive them to and from the shops or accompanying them when they go out. When you think it’s likely that they’re getting cold, suggest popping into a coffee shop to get warm.

Remember, the cold can be devastating to vulnerable people but by helping out a little bit, we can reduce the hardships that come during the winter months.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jan24

New Target Dress

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New Target Dress

Hiii everyone and happy Tuesday! This past weekend I did a little shopping to beat the winter blahs of January away and I ended up with a super cute new dress from Target. As I entered the store, I was so happy to see that they had their spring clothing on display. The winter weather in Ohio has been unusually, freakishly mild this year – we’re talking weather in the 50s and 60s. So, needless to say, I have definitely been thinking spring! I am a bit sad that I haven’t gotten to make use out of all of my gorgeous cold weather clothing but I can’t complain about this warm streak of weather when Ohio winters are usually bitter cold.

Not only did the spring style temps inspire me to buy myself something pretty but I also got my new dress to spice up my work wardrobe. I have grown weary of wearing the same pants and a blazer during the days when I’m bopping around visiting different day programs and group homes so I thought some fun new dresses would be a perfect way to go. For work, I always enjoy pairing up a dress with some tall riding boots and tights to create a look that is posh and profesh rather than too revealing. Take a look at my newest work and play wardrobe addition:

What I love the most about this dress is the shape and, of course, the color! Mustard yellow is one of those colors that happens to look really good on me thanks to the pasty pale skin and red hair so whenever I see something cute in this color, I always have to try it on! I love the base color of this dress but I also think that the periwinkle blue, cream, and pink floral pattern looks gorgeous over top of it. This dress reminds me a bit of my all time favorite dress from Urban Outfitters but I think that it is so darling that I don’t even care!

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The other fantastic thing about my new dress is the shape. It looks like a seriously seventies style frock and I think that it’s just perfect. The buttons down the front add some edge while the fluttering, flowy sleeves add a sweet touch of 1970s glam. I can’t wait to pair this dress with my tan knee high riding boots for work and then ditching the boots for my pair of BCBGeneration cut out heels for play as seen below:

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If you have spring on your mind and are getting winter cabin fever, then you better head to Target and get your shop on. Their spring collection is filled with pretty frocks, kimono tops, and a whole lot of girly fun!

How do you rock a business casual work outfit? What clothing items are you most looking forward to wearing when the warm weather finally hits? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan19

The Other Side Of Christmas: Preparing For Warmer Weather

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It feels strange to know that we’re already on the good side of winter. It takes so long to prepare for the bad weather – battening down the hatches, making sure our guttering is in place, sewing up any moth holes in our favorite sweaters – that it’s always surprising when it’s almost spring time again. Of course, we still have a little way to go, but after Christmas, it always feels as though we’ve been through the worst of it. Summer fashion is starting to make its way into the stores and despite the fact that it’s snowing in some places, we’re thinking hopefully about what the warmer weather will bring us. Here are some tips about how to handle the run-up to summer:

Check Your Air Conditioning: The absolute worst day for your air conditioning to break is the first day that you actually need it, so it’s probably a good idea to start checking it every so often to make sure that it’s still good and it won’t die a horrible death when summer comes. If you do need a new unit, take a look online for one that might suit the needs of you and your family – Shinco portable air conditioner units are a popular choice for many people. If you’re worried about the effect that it might have on your energy bill, why not look into solar power? It’s sustainable and cheap in the long run.

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Pixabay Image

Take Your Vacation Days: If you have vacation days and you want to go away this summer, now is the time to book those days off before someone else does. Don’t be afraid to take your vacation days – you’re entitled to them and there’s no pride in working until you’re sick or refusing to take the opportunity to see the world out of a misguided belief that you have to spend all your time at your desk. Take the time off, travel, and become a more well rounded person.

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Ahh, does that look nice!

Sort Through Your Clothes: It’s a good idea to sort through your summer clothes before you need to actually start wearing them. First of all, set aside and then donate all of the clothes that you didn’t wear last summer. If you didn’t wear them then, you won’t wear them now. Likewise, give away all the clothes that you’re hoping might fit you again one day. It’s much better to buy some new clothes that fit you perfectly and that you feel beautiful in. Although there’s no shame in saving a few pieces for motivation!!

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Stripes on stripes on stripes

Get Healthy: It’s been said that in order to get the summer body you want, you have to work on it in the winter. Although the whole concept of a ‘summer body’ is flawed, it is definitely true that you shouldn’t slack off and let yourself get unhealthy over the winter. If you’re cold and miserable, it’s easy to comfort eat and slob out on the sofa, but trust me when I say that in the long run, that won’t make you any happier. Instead, wrap up nice and warm and go out for a walk. You can make warming winter stews for dinner instead of getting Chinese takeout for the millionth time. 😉

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Pexels Image

Jan11

Ensure Your Child Stays Warm And Toasty This Winter With These Unmissable Hacks

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As the weather gets worse outside, our mind is focusing on ensuring that our children stay healthy during the winter months. After all, it’s so easy for them to pick up a flu bug or a skin issue at this time of the year. And they are easily preventable if you make sure that your child stays a good temperature during winter. Here are some unmissable hacks to ensure that your child stays warm and toasty when it is freezing cold outside:

Get Them a Good Hat, Scarf, and Gloves Set: One way that you can make sure your little one stays warm is by investing in a good winter set for them. A hat, scarf, and pair of gloves are essential to keep your child toasty during the cold months. You need to make sure the hat fits comfortably so they aren’t tempted to take it off while they are out. And you can even get some gloves which have been designed to use with mobile phones. That way, they can still surf the net without taking their hands out of the gloves!

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Aw! :’)

Get Them a Good Winter Coat: Another essential which will keep your child at a good temperature during the winter is a coat. If they go out without this most important item, they are bound to end up feeling the chill while they are out and about. And it will put them at a higher risk of getting the flu during the winter months. So head out to the stores and find a good coat for your little one. Some brands like moncler kid do a range of coats which will be perfect for keeping your child warm in the winter. And remember to pick something which will last your little one the whole season. That way, you won’t have to head out to buy them a new coat any time soon.

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Keep the House Warm: While you can’t control the temperatures your child may face outside, you can warm thing up inside your home. If your house is nice and toasty, it will put your child at a lower risk of picking up bugs during the cold months. You might want to set the thermostat so that it comes on just before they get home from school. And if your home needs some extra heat, you might want to consider putting a fireplace, if you have one, to good use so your home can have some additional warmth and a nice atmosphere. It’s a win win!

And, of course, it’s always a good idea to have your heating system looked into in the fall as schedules for these services will book up quickly. A company like Yorkshire Heating & Renewables (or a similar one in your local area) can assist with boiler repairs as well as underfloor heating installation for a toasty home from floor to ceiling. Do not wait until the last minute to enlist the help of a local professional as you don’t want your heating unit to fall into disrepair as soon as the cold weather strikes.

Update Their Bedding: You should also make sure that your child has adequate bedding that will keep them from any drafty chills during the night. Shivering in the early hours can lower the immune system and your child could wake up with a bug in the morning. Break out the flannel sheets and a good quality duvet which will keep them extra snug at night. You should also get a throw or blanket which they can pull around themselves if they get extra chilly as they prepare for bed.

Jan9

It’s Getting Hot In Here: Daydreaming Of Summer

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Who else is tired of the colder weather and the dark days? The January blues can hit us hard, so there is no surprise that some people will be counting down the days until the Summer officially arrives. The warmth that tingles your skin, the feeling of a frozen treat being enjoyed while lounging in a hammock and watching the world go by. Sounds like heaven doesn’t it? But we can often forget the downside of the heat, and it can be just as difficult to endure as the coldest days of the year. So while we are daydreaming, perhaps we can work out some of the ways that we can prepare ourselves in advance for the summer months ahead. After all, it’s far better to enjoy the sun than to be wishing for those winter days to return.

Stock Up On The Summer Essentials: Summer is a wonderful time to enjoy, so it’s worth making those investments now to ensure that you are comfortable and can have as much fun as possible. With plenty of discounts available across all kinds of stores, January would be the ideal time to get those big summer purchases sorted. Perhaps consider an outdoor grill so that you can have garden parties and cook up a storm. Maybe invest in some cotton bed sheets to ensure you get a comfortable night’s sleep during the hottest days of the year. Why not even treat yourself to an inflatable swimming pool for your outside space? And if you are planning a dream beach trip, rather than buying, you might instead set your sights on planning what hilton head beach rentals you might choose to hire for when you finally hit the sand.

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Get Your Home Prepared: As much as we want to be outside constantly, we often will still need to be in our homes for a good chunk of our time. You may work from home or even just retire here at the hottest points of the day. This is why now might be the time to consider adding a ducted air conditioning system to your house or property. They can actually be quite cost efficient when you get the right system installed.

Try Out New Recipes For Frozen Treats: Summer wouldn’t be complete without those frozen treats stocked up in the freezer. So why not kick those January blues and start planning and trying out new recipes? Maybe you want to consider a new flavor combination or check out websites like eBay for ice molds you can use. They can be a refreshing treat but also very healthy if you consider the type of ingredients you are using.

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I NEED ONE!

Plan Ahead: Finally, daydreaming is the perfect opportunity to plan ahead for those summer months. Do you want to go on vacation? Do you plan to spend more time at home or with loved ones? Perhaps there is an activity that you want to do more of? Or, maybe you’re looking into hilton head beach rentals for that perfect summer getaway? Now is the time to start thinking ahead and booking up your diary. After all, sometimes the only way to get through a tough month is to have plenty of things to look forward to!

Dec30

Let There Be Light: How To Fight Dark Rooms In Winter

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The winter months are famously cold and dark, but this is no reason to let your house turn into a dark cave, too! It’s never easy to make the most of your home decor when the weather outside makes you feel miserable and trapped inside the walls, but there are a few tips to keep your house full of light and freshness. Remember, that natural sunlight is directly related to your mood, so the more light and fresh air there is, the better you will feel! Here are some of the tips that come from our Nordic friends in Sweden, Norway, and Finland where sunlight is very precious throughout the cold months.

Trim All The Plants: Plants, in your garden and your home will generally be trimmed in the winter so that they will come back stronger and healthier when spring arrives. While you may not be an expert gardener, it is important to know that your plants find their energy in the sunlight, and that by pruning them during the cold months you actively help them save their energy to keep growing and blooming when the temperatures rise again. Additionally, garden bushes and trees often block the sun warmth and light from reaching your house. As sunlight is precious and limited in winter, it is important to make sure that your windows are not hidden by garden vegetation.

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Take Care Of Your Windows: Your windows are where natural light enters your house. Consequently, in winter they will be your main access to sunlight, as it is not uncommon to stay inside when the streets are cold outside. First of all, a thorough cleaning of your window glass will make sure that you can let the maximum amount of light in. Additionally, while it may seem more comfortable to keep the windows shut throughout winter, it is essential that you renew the air in your house regularly by opening the windows at least once a week for a few minutes to refresh the atmosphere inside the house and avoid the apparition of mold.

It is not odd for many homeowners to discover that the house becomes more difficult to heat after you’ve refreshed the air. This can be caused by old windows that cannot provide a quality insulation anymore. You can test the insulation of your windows quickly: A cold breeze around the window area is a dead giveaway that you need to investigate replacement window brands for hermetic alternatives!

Use Light-Colored Interior Decor: A dark interior will naturally give the impression a dark room, which often has a gloomy impact on your mood. Making sure that you don’t use dark wall paint is essential. But this is not all! If you have a dark-colored sofa, an arrangement of light and natural colored cushions will immediately lighten up the atmosphere, for example.

Additionally, the use of mirrors will help to create a playful game of light in the room which can maximize the access of natural sunlight. Last, but not least, it is recommended to remove heavy curtains from your windows to guarantee that the light can easily get in. If you want to keep curtains around your windows, make sure to use light material for these so that they don’t occult the sunlight. Fairy light curtains are a nice alternative for dark rooms with limited sunlight. And they sound so pretty, too!

Dec30

Winter-Proof Your Home And Save Yourself A Fortune

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Christmas is over and the new year is here, and so it seems that we are heading into the coldest months of the year as we are in the depths of the winter season. But what we sometimes forget is that our homes are exposed to all of the elements day in day out, so it’s worth spending time protecting your home. You don’t have to be an expert in DIY or any drastic home improvements, because preparing your home for winter is easier to achieve than you think. Here are some tips to share that will help protect your home this season and they could even save you a hefty price tag for repair!

Let’s Think About the Exterior: One of the first jobs you can start to think about is clearing the gutters and drains. During the fall, we know that leaves disperse from the tree branches at an alarming rate. They tend to gather wherever they can, and the gutters and drains are just some of the places that can get clogged up easily. As there is an increasing chance of rain and snow, blocked drains could cause leaks and further damage to your home if not taken care of. Ensuring that there is good drainage for when the weather begins to turn may be last on your list of things to do, but it’s one of those tasks that you’d be silly to ignore.

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Clean those gutters!

Avoid Potential Disasters: Naturally, during the winter we will be cranking up our boilers and furnaces to provide much-needed heat to the home. However, as they may not have been used during the summer months, you may find that they are a little hesitant to fire up. The last thing anyone wants on a cold day is no heating. Getting your heating system checked over before the colder weather hits is a great tip to avoid future disasters.

Think About Your Walls: One of the easiest ways a home can lose heat is through the walls and roof. The reason may be down to the walls not being insulated correctly. It tends to be a more regular occurrence on older properties, as newer ones should have had insulation installed when being built. If you feel that your home just never seems to retain heat, this could be your problem. Insulation isn’t a huge job; you could consider it in the walls but also just lining your roof and attic space could save you a fortune in heating bills.

Protect Your Pipework: Pipes in and out of your home can be one of the biggest problems you face during the winter months. Pipes can freeze on the coldest days, and then burst as the temperature warms up. Burst pipes can cause huge problems with your plumbing system. Even pipes in your home like those in the attic can cause you issues when not protected well. So don’t let your attic pipes freeze and protect them. If you live in an area that is prone to those icey and snowy days, this could save you a lot of heartache in the future.

Plumbing problems are not the time to try and DIY it. This could end up causing more damage and costing even more money. You should always hire a licensed plumber when working with San Diego plumbers (or your local area) for check ups and repair.

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Stay warm and let’s get those homes ready for the cold months ahead! 🙂