Winter weather can wreak havoc on your home. Let’s look for a few easy ways to prepare your home for the Winter.
Furnace Inspection
- Stock up on furnace filters and change them monthly.
- If your home is heated by a hot-water radiator, bleed the valves by opening them slightly and when water appears, close them.
- Remove all flammable material from the area surrounding your furnace.
Get the Fireplace Ready
If the chimney hasn’t been cleaned for a while, call a chimney sweep to remove soot and creosote.
Check Foundations
- Seal up entry points to keep small animals from crawling under the house.
- Rake away all debris and edible vegetation from the foundation.
Check the Exterior, Doors and Windows
- Inspect exterior for cracks and exposed entry points around pipes; seal them.
- Use weather-stripping around doors to prevent cold air from entering the home and caulk windows
Inspect Roof, Gutters & Downspouts
- If your weather temperature will fall below 32 degrees in the winter, adding extra insulation to the attic will prevent warm air from creeping to your roof and causing ice dams.
- Replace worn roof shingles or tiles.
- Clean out the gutters and clear debris from downspouts.
Service Weather-Specific Equipment
- Drain gas from lawnmowers.
- Service or tune-up snow blowers.
Prevent Plumbing Freezes
- Locate your water main in the event you need to shut it off in an emergency.
- Drain all garden hoses, blow out sprinkler systems.
- Insulate exposed plumbing pipes.
- Drain air conditioner pipes and, if your AC has a water shut-off valve, turn it off.
- If you go on vacation, leave the heat on, set to at least 55 degrees.
Install Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
- Some cities require a smoke detector in every room.
- Install a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace and/or water heater.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they work.
