Keep Your Home Safe This Winter

Jan 31, 2024

Winter Safety & Maintenance

Update: Jan. 31, 2024


Due to record setting snow fall this season the Municipality of Anchorage is encouraging homeowners to look at the snow and ice loads on roofs and consider removal. They have provided this Snow Removal Guidance sheet for owners to reference. Please keep your family and home safe this winter.


Winter is a harsh reality for Alaskans. While most homes are built to withstand Alaska’s lengthy, rugged winters, that doesn’t mean winter is maintenance-free. To keep your home and family safe this winter be sure to know how to properly care for your house. 

 

Monitor Your Roof

 

Your roof carries the weight of winter. While new homes in Alaska are built to withstand significant snowfall it’s important to monitor the snow load. If you hear cracking, popping, or experience leaking, call a professional. Don’t try to climb on the roof and remove snow yourself.


Keep an eye out for ice dams. An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms along the edge of the roof due to uneven heating. They’re often accompanied by icicles. Ice dams prevent melted snow from draining properly. This trapped water can leak into homes and cause significant water damage. If you have an ice dam, call a professional for removal.


Icicles can also be dangerous for your home and family. These can also be removed by a professional. Be sure to keep children away from icicles as they can cause serious injury when they fall. If you choose to remove icicles yourself, wear a hard hat and safety glasses.


Keep Gas Meters Clear

 

If your home is heated using natural gas or propane these heating sources work overtime in the winter. As snow piles up, it’s important to ensure gas meters are kept clear. While they’re built to withstand the elements, being trapped in snow or ice creates dangerous conditions. When a gas meter’s vent is blocked it can leak.


Brush the snow off your gas meter. Use a brush or broom, not a shovel. Never chip ice or try to kick snow off, you could damage the meter and cause a leak. Mark the meter so you can access it during an emergency. Don’t use a snowplow or snowblower near the meter. If you can’t get it clear call the utility company.

 

Clear Vent Covers

 

Vents are in place for a reason. It’s important to keep them clear of snow and ice to allow them to breathe. Use a brush or broom to keep them clear. Be sure they are also clear of dust. If a vent becomes blocked it could damage the system or cause carbon monoxide poisoning. CO poisoning is most common in the winter months. Be sure you have several working carbon monoxide detectors in your home in multiple rooms. 


Replace Furnace Filters

 

Heating systems work hard during the winter. It’s important to give them a little assistance. Routinely replacing furnace filters keeps the heating system operating smoothly. This can prevent a system failure, save energy use and ensure your family is breathing quality air.


Snow Removal the Smart Way

 

Snow removal seems routine, but thousands of people are injured annually. Common injuries include slipping and falling, heart attacks and frostbite. To stay safe while shoveling always dress for the weather. Wear gloves and a hat. Add slip protection to your footwear. Use an ergonomically designed shovel or invest in a snowblower. For the elderly, hiring a snow removal company or asking a neighbor may be a good idea.


Winter can add extra work around the house. Following the proper protocols will keep you safe and warm. Knowing your home is operating smoothly will allow you to enjoy the winter wonderland.

 

30 Nov, 2023
Don’t let the high mortgage interest rates of today stop you from buying a home. Spinell Homes is offering an interest rate buy down for all move-in ready homes. A buy down lowers your interest rate for two years, saving you money and giving you time to refinance when rates drop. With a buy down, your interest rate will drop 2% from the current rate for the first year of the loan. The second year, the rate will drop by 1%. The third year of the mortgage, the rate will return to the original rate from the day you locked into a contract. Here’s an example: If you were to purchase a home with a loan amount of $612,750 and locked into a rate of 7.125% the buy down rate would be 5.125% for the first year of your loan. This would save you about $9,500 the first year. The second year of the loan your rate would be 6.125%, saving you about $4,800 that year. The third year it would return to 7.125%. These combine savings equal $14,300. But the savings don’t stop there. Economists predict interest rates will drop in the next two years. When rates drop, you’ll be able to refinance at the lower rate. If you choose NOT to use a buy down, the seller will often pay more in closing costs. Don’t wait for interest rates to drop to get into your new home. When interest rates drop, home prices could go up and you can expect increased competition from all the people who waited for rates to drop. With the Spinell Homes buy down you can get into a great home at an affordable rate. NOTE: Rate buy down is only being offered on move-in ready homes.
29 Nov, 2023
Deck the Halls & Win!
06 Nov, 2023
Picture opening the door to your perfect home. The finishes reflect your personality. The space suits your lifestyle. The location provides peace. If you’re a homebuyer, the ideal home can feel out of reach. Shopping for existing homes can mean making sacrifices. Perhaps the location is great but the home needs renovations. Or maybe the home feels just right but it's located in the wrong part of town. New construction is your best shot at creating the home of your dreams. If you’ve never been through the building process, it can seem overwhelming. But at Spinell Homes, we’re here to make the process fun, easy and extremely rewarding. If you’re interested in building, give me a call. I’ll walk you through what you can afford and expect. You’ll need to come prepared with information about your budget, lifestyle, and home wants and needs. Bring any questions that you have and our team of experts will happily answer them. By setting these expectations upfront and having an open conversation, it kicks off a great relationship from the start. Next, it’s time to identify a location and floor plan. If you don’t own a lot, Spinell Homes has numerous available lots. We’ll identify one that works for your budget and family. You’ll then pick a floor plan that maximizes the lot, budget and lifestyle. Often Spinell experts will make adjustments to the plan to customize it for your needs. If you decide to build, it’s now time to secure the financing. Working with Spinell Homes, we’re able to connect you with preferred lenders who can walk you through the process of getting a mortgage. Then a purchase agreement is set in place. Working with Spinell means you avoid getting a construction loan, which is at a much higher interest rate. With a loan and plans in place, the real fun begins. From cabinetry to countertops and siding to sliding glass doors, new construction requires a lot of design decisions. While something like doorknobs seems minor, these little details make a big difference. Luckily, you don’t have to make the selections on your own. Spinell’s design team will help you pick finishes that won’t break the budget and work well in the home. Spinell will also be aware of the materials’ availability, ensuring to order on time and keep the project on track. Building a home is a big project. It comes with a lengthy timeline, a lot of decisions and a large budget. But at Spinell, we’re pros at this process. The company has been building homes for more than 30 years. We understand how to communicate when there’s an obstacle. In addition to getting the keys to your dream home, new construction comes with a lot of other benefits. Today’s construction materials are the safest and most energy-efficient materials on the market. Appliances and lighting fixtures are also energy efficient. This will save you energy and money on utilities. New construction also comes with warranties. This means you don’t have to worry about unexpected expenses. You can focus on settling in and making memories with your family. Don’t let navigating the building process sink your spirits. With the right partners, you can soar through the steps and find your forever home.
06 Nov, 2023
Building a home will likely be the biggest and most expensive adventure of your lifetime. Like with any adventure, it’s important to be prepared. Here’s what you need to know to have a fun and successful build.  Pick the Perfect Partner New construction requires a lot of decisions, but choosing a builder is arguably the most important one. This partnership will set the tone for the entire project. Be sure to do your homework. At Spinell Homes, we encourage you to look at the homes we’ve built, there are thousands out there. You can ask us for references and speak with happy homeowners. Don’t be shy about asking questions and getting answers. A reputable builder like us will be open, upfront and honest. Starting the relationship with good communication will make the entire process easier. Know the Numbers Sticking to a budget can be one of the most difficult tasks if you don’t pay attention to the numbers. At Spinell Homes, we’ll keep you on track. Once a budget is set, we’ll show you finishes and plans within your budget. Transparency and planning for every penny mean avoiding surprises. Trendy vs. Timeless New construction is your opportunity to design the house of your dreams. It should reflect your unique personality and passions. Add room for the mud room you’ve always wanted or set aside space for a wine cellar. Building is a chance to create something fitting for your family. However, while you may intend for this to be your forever home, it’s never a bad idea to think about resale. Life and plans change. It’s important to balance making it your own now, with the potential for selling in the future. This balance should be applied to home design. Try to blend trendy with timeless. Think about the features that are easier to change. For example, flooring, wall colors and lighting fixtures could be swapped if they go out of style. While siding, floor plans and kitchen cabinets involve more time and money. Be Prepared for Setbacks Building a new construction home is a long process that involves a lot of moving pieces. Unfortunately, there will likely be some obstacles along the way. Understanding that it’s not all smooth sailing will make it easier to deal with difficulties when the time comes. With over 30 years in the building industry, we know how to navigate every possible problem. Whether it’s a weather delay or materials on backorder, try to handle these setbacks with the knowledge that the problems will pass. Enjoy the Process Getting the keys to your home is an amazing feeling but if you race to the finish line you’ll miss enjoying the journey. Working with Spinell Homes ensures a stress-free and enjoyable process. While you walk through the framing, picture how the rooms will host your family during the holidays. As you pick out the finishes, think of the memories they’ll help make. From plans to final product, building a home with Spinell is the adventure of a lifetime.
20 Apr, 2023
Spruce up Your Lifestyle in Spruce Terraces!
17 Nov, 2022
Now is the Time to Buy
26 Oct, 2022
#SpinellGingerbreadCompetition is Back!
21 Oct, 2022
Buy Today, Refinance Tomorrow
By Lindsey Spinelli 29 Aug, 2022
We love what veterans, active service members and military families bring to our communities.
17 Aug, 2022
Tag us in your photos with #SpinellBack2School for a chance at a $25 Wild Scoops gift card.
More Posts
Share by: