There are plenty of times when being single isn't all it's cracked up to be. Finding a date for a friend's wedding, eating alone at a restaurant and being set up blind are just a few examples of those "I wish I was a couple" moments.

And then there are times when having a significant other would be nice for an entirely different reason.

They could hold the ladder.

Between long work hours and an active social life, performing important preventative tasks like checking the gutters and looking for leaks might not be on the chore checklist for many young singles. But winterizing a house or condo is one of the most important things a young owner can do to guarantee the life of their home. It's also helps save large amounts of money down the line.

"A leak in the roof or an improperly caulked window can, over time, decimate a house with water damage," says Matt LeMier, a carpenter with LeMier Phillips Construction Company in Olympia.

LeMier defines winterizing as taking the little steps necessary to prepare a house for the stormy season. Insulate pipes to prevent freezing. Cover up outdoor hoses and water spigots. Change air and water filters. Inspect the caulking around windows. Clean the gutters and check the roof for leaks. Make sure all crawl spaces are properly sealed from animals. Each a minor task, but all very important for the life of a home. 

"A big part of winterizing is simply walking around your house and observing what's going on," says LeMier. "Looking for little issues before they become big problems in the winter."

As a carpenter who is frequently asked to repair damage from leaks, LeMier says the biggest thing people tend to overlook when it comes to winterizing is making sure windows are properly sealed.

"When the wind picks up and blows the rain sideways, water can get into places people wouldn't normally expect," said LeMier. "Once water is in, it will rot the house pretty easily."

Depending on the supplies a homeowner has on-hand, LeMier says proper winterization can cost less than $100. For first time homeowners, LeMier suggests calling a home inspection service. A home inspection service sends a licensed inspector out to a home to evaluate potential maintenance problems. They can also inform the homeowner what they need to do to prepare for winter.

"Inspection services are non-biased," says LeMier. "They will tell you the truth with what's needed."

For those needing extensive home repair, LeMier recommends hiring a licensed contractor. But contractors aren't necessary in most winterizing cases, he says. A little caulk, some extra insulation and a good-eye for potential problems are all a homeowner usually needs. He just wants to make sure young owners winterize soon.

"You have to get out there before the hard rain hits," says LeMier. "And this is Washington, so it will hit."