Greetings! I am thrilled to be writing this Real Estate column for you! I am a Real Estate Agent and former longtime Nederland/Gilpin resident. I am deeply fond of our mountain community and our homes that make the lifestyle the dream that it is, even when it’s windy! This column will include home maintenance tips, market statistics, and other home related information. Feel free to reach out if you have questions, requests, or feedback.

October Home Maintenance Checklist. Home maintenance is something many of us enjoy, plenty of us loathe, and some of us are blissfully unaware of. At any rate, some tasks can save you time and money in the long run, not to mention prevent some unpleasant mid-winter surprises. Here are some tips for getting your home ready for winter.

Garden + Exterior . Put away hoses, tools, and planters - Disconnect, drain, and coil your garden hose and place it somewhere covered and dry. Empty and put away flower pots and rain barrels. Protecting these items from the snow and ice will keep them from cracking and will save you money in the spring. Likewise, cover or bring in grills, patio furniture, or any other item that could be damaged by the snow and ice.

Clean out Gutters. Clean gutters allow for the snow to melt and drain off of the roof easily preventing any ice build up that may result in roof leaks. Along these lines, ensure that each gutter drain projects a few feet away from your home, otherwise the snowmelt and rain will drain directly to the foundation of your house.

Protect water pipes. Check to ensure that any incoming water lines that are exposed to outdoor temperatures are insulated or lined with heat tape.

Interior. Seal drafts - You can insulate your windows by re-caulking around the edges, using thermal lined curtains, and/ or using a clear plastic window insulation kit. Install weather stripping around doors and windows where necessary.

HVAC Inspection. Change your furnace filter and have your furnace inspected. Nothing like coming home from work to a freezing cold house! It can be avoided! A good inspection will make sure it is happy and functioning properly.

Smoke detectors/carbon monoxide. Check to make sure that your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. If you’re not sure how to test your detectors look up your specific detector online. Colorado law requires a smoke and carbon monoxide detector to be 15 ft from every bedroom. Read and follow the installation instructions of whichever detectors you install.

Wood burning stove/chimney sweep and inspection. For many of us, our fireplace is the heart of our mountain home. Have your wood burning stove/ fireplace chimney inspected and swept. An inspection will ensure there are no unwanted materials in the chimney that could pose a hazard when you’re having regular fires in the coming seasons.

Thank you for reading!

Emma Quarterman can be reached at 303-506-5218 or by email at emma@livewestrealty.com. Check out her website at https://emmaskycolorado.com/.