With the first day of winter having passed, it’s time to get your HOA winter ready for the lower temperatures and anything else Mother Nature can throw at you, which has been plenty here in Texas! As an HOA, your board should have already taken care of any final fall clean up, sprinkler blow outs, and pool closures. But today, we want to cover some tips and tricks for individual residents that we hope you’ll share with your community.

Since most HOAs are only responsible for common areas, it is important to encourage residents to follow these winterization recommendations to keep the community looking well maintained and to help residents protect their individual investment.

  1. Clean and de-clutter. Take time to go through piles of stuff inside and outside the home. It is important to make sure any fall debris is removed from around the house to prevent animals or bugs from nesting near the foundation. Also, focus on cleaning up the garage to make sure there is room to park cars, and remove any storage that might be damaged by water/puddles caused by a wet car.
  2. Check weather stripping. Over time the rubber used in weather stripping can become brittle and break off, or it may simply get torn up from regular wear and tear. If you have drafty windows or doors (including the garage door) then head to your local hardware store to get replacement weather stripping. You’ll notice a tremendous difference in your heating bill and the draft will disappear!
  3. Check the roof/attic. It is easy to forget about your roof and attic when there aren’t any problems, but don’t wait until you have a leak or a high heating bill. Check to make sure your attic is evenly insulated, and make sure there aren’t any obvious signs of water damage. If you catch small leaks early on, dealing with them is easier and less expensive. Proper insulation will also save you a lot on heating bills.
  4. Get your HVAC serviced. Twice a year you should have a licensed professional come and service your HVAC system. This is a good time to change filters, too! Since the technicians are trained to find problems before issues arise, you’ll be less likely to have your heater quite unexpectedly!
  5. Get cozy. We’re talking about warmer bedding, blankets, and even heavier window treatments. Instead of cranking the heat up, make sure you’re dressed warmly and that you’re home is too!

No matter where you live or the type of winter weather you’re used to, taking the time to make sure your home is ready for cold weather is an important step in preparing and protecting your home. We hope this list helps your community prepare for winter!