It seems as though Northern Virginia residents will be cheated out of a beautiful fall once again. With temperatures quickly dropping, homeowners have little time to make sure their homes are prepared for the cold winter months.

With a change in seasons quickly approaching, here are a few things homeowners should be sure to do to stay as warm as possible for winter.

• Feel around all windows and doors for leaking air. Cold outside air will make heaters work twice as hard and result in an electric bill twice as high.Loose windows can be caulked, but should be fully replaced if a significant amount of outside air is getting through.
• Replace broken or cracked window pains as soon as possible.
• Walk around your home and look for any roof damage and potential leaks. If you feel comfortable and safe enough, climb on your roof for a closer inspection. Shingles that crack or crumble are tell-tail signs of problems to come. Be sure all of the flashing (metal corners of the roof) are in good condition, and check gutters to see if leaves and debris have collected. Have your gutters cleaned now before cold weather makes it a miserable job.
• When outside, also check trim and siding for fading, cracking or chipped paint. With any of these conditions, further damage will be coming soon, so be sure to have a professional replace any effected areas. Painting your home or trim should also be done very soon before temperatures won’t allow it.

With holiday shopping right around the corner along with other chores, your best bet is tofind a local contractor to help you with all of you winter repairs and preparations. Online sites like All Around the Home help NoVA residents find their area’s best, Virginia licensed and insured home improvement professionals. Whatever you do, just be sure your home is ready for the cold months that are quickly approaching. A protected home is a happy one!