Clean the Gutters

Rain gutters prevent roof damage, but only if they’re maintained correctly. Clearing leaves and other debris from the gutters facilitates the smooth flow of water, which is essential for avoiding moisture damage on the roof. While cleaning gutters, make sure the gutter downspout is pointed away from the home to prevent moisture damage in other areas.

Reinforce Weatherproofing

Weatherproofing materials keep the doors and windows in your home protected against drafts and moisture. Because these materials can break down over time, checking them in fall is key. If you notice that weatherproofing is no longer protecting your home, replace it to fortify the property against cold weather. Weatherproofing can also save you money on heating bills as it boosts energy efficiency.

Insulate Exposed Pipes

Exposed plumbing pipes can easily freeze during fall, which can lead to a stoppage of water or worse if the pipe bursts from the increasing pressure. You can insulate exposed pipes with special coverings, as well as devices like heat tape. Insulating pipes during fall ensures you have access to water all through winter.

Flush Your Water Heater

Sediment can build up in your home’s water heater over time, which may affect its output. Flushing the device clears out accumulated sediment and greatly boosts efficiency, which can save money on your utility bills. While some homeowners perform water heater flushes on their own, you can also schedule professional assistance if you’re not sure how to proceed. 

Your Dream Home Awaits

Here at Fiesta Homes, we’re proud to help residents of Las Cruces realize their dream of home ownership. Our factory direct ordering process is simple and straightforward, but we can also customize our floor plans to best meet your needs. Feel free to contact us today for more information or call 575-525-4680 to speak with a friendly and knowledgeable representative. Don’t forget to ask about our free credit check!

Taking steps to winterize your home before problems occur is the best way to avoid the headaches caused by snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. Here are a few smart steps you can take.

Enhance Weather Protection on Doors and Windows

Drafty doors and windows cause problems in many households. Along with decreasing coziness, drafts also reduce energy efficiency and increase HVAC costs. In this case, a little weather stripping can go a long way towards a more comfortable home. You can also check for gaps around these fixtures and fill them in with silicone caulking, which also offers protection against water intrusion.

Schedule a Furnace Inspection

Your furnace is an essential fixture during the winter, so it must function as expected. A furnace inspection allows you to address any small problems before they get bigger, while limiting the extent of wear on equipment. A furnace repair specialist will also make recommendations, such as updating to a smart thermostat for greater efficiency and cost-savings in the home.

Have a Plan for Snow and Ice on the Roof

Leaving snow and ice to linger on your roof greatly increases the risk of leaks and other issues. That’s why homeowners must remove snow in a timely manner using the appropriate equipment. For instance, a brush with a telescopic handle allows you to easily remove snow without needing to climb onto a ladder. You must also guarantee that gutters are cleared of debris to allow moisture to run off the roof as snow melts.

Here at Fiesta Homes, we love providing tips to help you get the most out of your new mobile home. We believe that every family in Las Cruces deserves a quality place to live, which is why we offer a variety of floor plans to suit many different needs. We also help new homeowners to secure the right type of financing to remain within their budgets.

Feel free to contact us today for more information about our homes. You can also call 575-525-4680 to speak with a friendly and knowledgeable team member.

Cold weather’s approaching, and the last thing you want is to wake up and find you’ve got frost on the inside of all of your windows. Icy floors aren’t fun to walk across, and when a cold draft sneaks in, your energy costs skyrocket as you try to keep the house warm. Take a few steps before the temperatures really drop and winter-prep your home.

Insulate the Gaps

A spray-foam insulation, available at most hardware or home improvement stores, can fill in the small gaps that go unnoticed in temperate climates. Inspect your home’s exterior and look especially at water pipes and window frames. Use the spray-foam insulation to fill in those gaps and stop small air leaks. Use waterproof caulk on the roof around any plumbing pipes or vents.

Do you have double-pane or storm windows? If that’s too much of an expense for you to install this year, a window shrink-wrap kit can help block drafts and keep the heat inside. Apply it to every window in your home for the best results.

Remember Your Furnace

Your water heater and furnace need attention, too! Most water heaters are located outside of your home, accessible through a door in the paneling. Wrap an insulation blanket around the water heater itself, and use heat tape on the water pipes to prevent freezing.

The furnace is what will be supplying your heat throughout the winter. Make sure do perform or schedule a routine maintenance check on it before you have to turn it on to combat the cold. Clean filters and the area surrounding the heater; you don’t want to risk a fire in the middle of the winter!

Keep Yourself Snug and Safe

Electric space heaters are wonderful for boosting the temperature in individual rooms, but remember that they can short out or overheat. Be conscious of fire hazards while you’re staying warm this winter, and enjoy the lower energy costs and greater warmth of a winterized modular home!