Winterizing Your Home
0As the weather gets colder, it is a sign to start winterizing you home. It is always a good idea to have your home ready before the snow begins to fall and regular, ongoing maintenance will help reduce the amount of preparation required for this snowy time of year. Good home maintenance planning will help save you time and money. No two homes are identical, and every maintenance checklist will vary slightly.
Keep Warm: Be sure your home is properly insulated and up to code. Did you know that If you add up all the small areas where heat can escape, it would be the same as keeping a window open all winter long? Do an internal and external inspection, checking for any areas where heat can escape. Add or replace weather stripping and caulking where necessary.
Doors and Windows: Windows are often the biggest variable in heat loss. Repair or replace any old or broken windows, as well as window locks and latches. Make sure all windows open and shut properly (this is very important in case of a fire) and consider replacing windows with energy efficient ones. Remember, when replacing new windows, don’t cut corners, have a professional install them. If they are not installed properly, their effectiveness will be diminished.
Heating: If your heating system is older than 15 years, it is probably time to replace it with a more efficient unit. Have your furnace inspected and tested annually (before it gets too cold). Clean or replace filters regularly (every 4-6 weeks), as restricted air flow will reduce the effectiveness of your heating system. Remember the more efficient your heating system is, the more money you will save.
Roof: Look for missing or broken shingles, and check the roof for any signs of sagging, as it may be a sign of rotting sheathing. Check flashing and areas around chimney, vents, skylights, etc. for any sign of leaks. Clean out leaves and other debris from gutters and down spouts and look for any weaknesses, ensuring all brackets and nails are securely in place. If water cannot drain properly, especially when ice is melting, it can seep back under the shingles causing a lot of water damage.
Basement: Check basement walls and floors for dampness, and foundation for cracks. Have them repaired before more extensive damage occurs. If your basement is not finished, consider insulating your exterior walls. This will help retain heat and also help to reduce common moisture problems. If you have a sump pump make sure to test it to ensure it is in proper working order.
Faucets and Hoses: Check exterior faucets and hoses for leaks. Roll up hoses and store them in a dry place. Turn off water supply to exterior faucets before the first frost (shutoff valve is usually situated in the basement or crawl space near the exterior faucet). Shutting off the exterior faucet is extremely important to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting open.
Holiday Lighting: Always install your lighting before the winter months to avoid slips and falls. Never put more than three strands of lights per electrical outlet, as overloading an outlet is a fire hazard.
Safety: Always have a well thought out emergency plan for all possible scenarios. Keep extra water, canned food, blankets, flashlights, batteries, candles and matches ready on hand. Make sure your house number is well lit and clearly readable from the street and ensure all security alarms, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers are in good working order. Remember to check and replace batteries twice a year and replace alarms and detectors approximately every 10 years. Trip circuit breakers and ground fault interrupters to insure proper protection. Check that all entrances to your home are also well lit (motion sensor lighting is always a good idea). Finally, be sure to have snow shovels and other winter supplies on hand before the messy winter hits.
