With winter approaching in the Asheville area, making sure your home is equipped to handle the elements is important. While Western North Carolina can see some relatively warm days during the winter, there are still enough sustained cold snaps to warrant a thorough home prep. From heating to insulation to weather safety measures, having everything in and around your house readied can prevent cold-triggered dilemmas down the line. 

Heating system

Preventive maintenance is key to the health of your heating system, extending its life and identifying potential problems before they turn into major winter headaches. Before the cold settles in, have your furnace or boiler checked; clean or replace the furnace filter if you have a forced hot air system; if you have a working fireplace, make sure to have your chimney checked and serviced annually. Once winter is under way, have fuel tanks filled, and monitor levels throughout the season; never set your heat lower than 55 degrees, as the walls where water pipes live are colder than your home’s interior. Which brings us to …

Water pipes

When water inside pipes freezes, the expansion can cause pipes to crack or burst. Pipes can also burst when water builds behind a chunk of ice, so leaving faucets dripping in very cold weather, especially in colder parts of your house (basements and utility rooms), is a good idea. Don’t forget about exterior faucets and sprinkler systems: Drain water from them to keep those pipes from freezing, disconnect outdoor hoses, and cover outdoor faucets with foam insulators. Pay particular attention to piping in garages, crawl spaces and attics, where it could be colder, and consider extra insulation for these areas. Know where the water shutoff for your home is, in case your pipes do freeze; closing off the supply can prevent a water disaster.

Insulation

Inspect and upgrade insulation regularly, and consider weather stripping for added protection against cold, blustery days. Extra insulation in attics can avoid ice dams: When too much heat escapes into the attic, it can warm icy roofs that can eventually refreeze and cause an ice dam. Such situations create the potential for water damage inside your home. Weather strip doors and windows to prevent drafts and heat loss. Now is the time to install storm windows if you have them.

Safety and supplies

Ice and snow can pose home safety concerns. Maintain trees in your yard to avoid ice-laden branch breaks that can lead to injury, home damage, or downed power lines. Make sure pathways to your home are free of potential pitfalls by ensuring steps and handrails are in good condition; check that you have snow shovels and rakes, as well as ice-melting compounds. Keep bottled water, nonperishable foods and first-aid supplies on hand in case of winter storm power outages.

To learn about real estate in the Asheville area, connect with us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call anytime at 828-707-9556.

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As involved residents of Asheville, Mosaic Realty agents and employees are passionate advocates for the outstanding area organizations that contribute to the strength and vibrancy of our community. Mosaic’s partnership with Asheville City Schools Foundation highlights this passion; in particular, Mosaic’s support of the foundation has helped [...]

A region famed for inspiring creativity, Western North Carolina is home to hundreds of artist studios and galleries, many featuring working spaces open to the public. A visit to any of these stunning spots in [...]

As long-time residents of Asheville, Mosaic agents and employees make it their mission to work with and support the outstanding area organizations that advocate for the vitality and health of our local and global community. To that end, a team of 15 Mosaic employees recently came together to work on an Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity job [...]

Autumn in the Asheville area brings a range of delights for the senses, with vibrant fall foliage topping the list. There are a variety of scenic hiking spots to take in the region’s stunning seasonal display, from vantage-point peaks to tree-shrouded paths blanketed in crunchy leaves. Following are a few favorite backdrops for a [...]

For those real estate clients looking to go green, Asheville and the surrounding areas are prime players in the movement. The marketplace of green homes has grown over the last 15 years, as an increasing number are built and certified. From [...]

With autumn upon us, it’s the perfect time in Western North Carolina to join in area fall harvests. Picking apples, pumpkins, grapes and the like is a fun activity for both young and old, and the Asheville area is ripe with scenic spots for such seasonal harvesting. Following are a few u-pick destinations to spend a fun-filled fall afternoon.

·     Jeter Mountain Farm – This working farm 25 miles south of Asheville in Hendersonville is famed for u-pick apples, but they also offer u-pick sunflowers, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries (in season). There is a large kids play area, cider and apple cider doughnuts to enjoy after an afternoon of picking.

·     Sky Top Apple Orchard – This Flat Rock orchard (30 miles south of Asheville) has an assortment of apples for picking (check their web site for a picking schedule). Set against a scenic backdrop of mountains and ponds, Sky Top also features sheep, goats, chickens and turkeys in their barnyard, as well as farm tours and hayrides.

·     Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard – If you’re looking for u-pick grapes, pumpkins and apples, check out this Hendersonville orchard. When you’re done harvesting, enjoy fresh apple cider, doughnuts and other goodies from their country market.

·     Justus Orchard – This fourth-generation orchard and farm in Hendersonville offers u-pick and we-pick apples, blackberries and pumpkins. Come for the picking, stay for the fun of farm animals, a country store and a bakery.

For those of us not quite ready to let go of summer, transitioning into fall is easier with a late-season visit to one of the area’s u-pick flower farms. 

·     Flying Cloud Farm – This Fairview farm (19 minutes from Asheville) allows guests to pick their own flowers from June through October, for $10 a cup (cups and small scissors provided).

·     The Never Ending Flower Farm – Never Ending, 20 minutes north of Asheville in Big Ivy,  continues to offer u-pick opportunities through late October or frost, whichever comes first. Operating on an honor system, the farm provides instructions, vases/buckets, pruners, and several methods for self-payment.

For information about real estate in the Asheville area, contact us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call anytime at 828-707-9556

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Asheville’s Wortham Center for the Performing Arts – located in the heart of downtown’s Pack Square Cultural District – will soon kick off its “Wortham Center Presents” 2021-22 season. The ever-popular annual season of national and international touring artists offers live and virtual performances, bringing the best in music, dance, theatre [...]

Not only are Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty agents Asheville’s green real estate experts, but Mosaic was built on a solid foundation of sustainability and environmental values. The first real estate agency in North Carolina to obtain a carbon neutral status, Mosaic continues its mission to support local solutions to climate change by [...]

Asheville and the Western North Carolina region are home to a number of institutions for higher learning. From technical colleges to four-year private universities to continuing education offerings, there are many options for students to pursue a wide range of studies. 

University of North Carolina at Asheville – Part of the 16-campus UNC system, the University of North Carolina at Asheville offers classes toward more than 30 majors. The campus, just one mile north of downtown Asheville, serves more than 3,300 undergraduate students. The only designated liberal arts institution in the UNC system, UNCA routinely receives high marks for innovation and is ranked among the best liberal arts colleges in the country.

Warren Wilson College – Just 10 miles east of Asheville in Swannanoa, Warren Wilson is a four-year, private liberal arts institution known for a curriculum that combines academics, work and service: Each of the 900 annual students must complete a requisite course of study, work a job on campus, and contribute community service.

Western Carolina University – Part of the UNC system, Western Carolina (located 52 miles west of Asheville in Cullowhee, N.C.) has more than 9,000 students. The university has an Asheville instructional site in Biltmore Park Town Square, which focuses on professional and graduate degrees for working students.

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College – This public, two-year community college near downtown Asheville boasts five academic divisions, including business & hospitality, engineering, and health & public service. It has 9,000 annual students, with an extensional enrollment of more than 17,000.

Brevard College – Nestled in Brevard, N.C., 33 miles southeast of Asheville amid the lushness of Pisgah National Forest, this private liberal arts institution has 700 students studying toward Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in an experiential setting. Brevard College is famed for its fine arts and music contributions to the community.

Mars Hill University – This private liberal arts institution, 15 miles north of Asheville in Mars Hill, N.C., offers five degrees (bachelors in arts, science, music, fine arts or social work) and more than 30 majors. Around 1,600 annual students attend Mars Hill, which has received high marks in U.S. News and World Report’s annual survey of the country’s best colleges.

Montreat College – This private, four-year liberal arts Christian college has three campuses – in Black Mountain, Asheville and Charlotte – in addition to its primary campus in Montreat (19 miles east of Asheville). Along with traditional four-year degrees offered to 450 undergrads, Montreat College offers adult studies programs and courses in team and professional development.

To learn more about the Asheville area or real estate in the our area, contact us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call anytime at 828-707-9556.

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