With the heat and summer fun leaving us, before the lush foliage of fiery red and gold leaves have withered… there are plenty of things to do to prepare for the upcoming snow and frost. Even before the air turns crisp, one of the most essential things that you should be concerned about is how to prepare your home for winter.
Aside from ensuring that your family has the warmth and comfort they deserve, this can also be the time of year when energy costs increase to some extent. To keep your expenses under control and your home from being damaged, here are some winterizing tasks that you can perform to ensure your home is ready for the icy cold months.
If you are in too cold area like we are; winterizing your home would definitely be worth the investment. Taking a little time to repair and maintain important components of your house before the first snow falls would save you and your home from potential disaster. Here are some winter preparation tips to help you get prepared:
Seal, Weather strip and Caulk
Check the exterior and foundation for cracks especially those around electrical outlets and pipes that goes through the walls, and fill them in as needed. Secure openings like crawlspace doors and seal up any gaps that may serve as passageway focuses for little creatures. Look over weather stripping and caulking along every single outside trim, particularly around windows and entryways, if harmed or officially pulling endlessly tidy up and replace with outside evaluation materials.
Disconnect and Close Off Outdoor Water Access
Though simple, many people will overlook the importance of this task and the grave potential consequences of not doing so. Frozen pipes are disastrous. Water expands as it freezes. Copper pipes may not be able to handle this expansion and crack or even burst. So, be sure that you shut off your outdoor faucets and insulate any exposed pipes. Garden hoses should also be drained and disconnected from the spicket.
Regular Checkups
Like humans, large pieces of equipment such as furnaces and air conditioners need regular checkups by a trained, experienced professional. These maintenance jobs can usually be very brief, but are a necessity to getting the most out of your device. Some of the things the technician might do include:
– An oil filter replacement
– Checking the regulators and controls and adjusting them if necessary
– Replacement of the furnace filter (some technicians may be willing to show you how to do this on your own)
-Adjusting the burner
– Inspecting the device in all areas, ensuring it is safe to use for the upcoming winter
Roof, Gutters and Downspouts
Have your roof thoroughly evaluated. Replace and repair damaged and missing shingles or tiles as needed. Make sure to check the flashing to make sure that your home will be free from water. To avoid ice dams caused by warm air going up to the roof when it gets too cold, have added insulation for your attic. Clear away debris that has accumulated in gutters and downspouts and consider installing leaf guards to prevent clogging.
