With winter quickly approaching, here are some great ways to winterize your home:
1. Clean Gutters: Do this after all the leaves have fallen. Remove any debris that will clog or damage the gutters. Ensure your gutters will properly dispose of water. While you are up there, check the roof and flashing for any trouble spots as well. Look for loose or missing shingles, damaged areas, etc. Try to prevent any leaks of water or cold air.
2. Find and Seal Leaks: You can use an incense type candle stick to check to see if the smoke is pulled through any spots on your windows, doors, recessed lighting, outlets, baseboards, etc. If you find a leak, be sure to seal with caulk, weather-stripping, or other proper materials. You may need to replace old weather-stripping, door sweeps, or caulk if you notice it’s cracking, aging, etc. If the leak is outside near brick, use a masonry sealer for all the cracks. Be sure you seal your dryer vent as well.
3. Insulate: You should have at least 12″ of insulation in your attic. A good rule of thumb: if you can see the joists, you need more insulation. If you already have a layer laying one direction, lay the next layer the other direction. Replace any rotted, aged insulation. Use a spray foam type insulation for any cracks or areas you can see daylight or feel air come through.
4. Check Furnace Now: Be sure that its working now. Change any filters that are needed. If something is wrong call your local serviceman and fix it now before you are stuck without heat or a serviceman that is swamped with other customers who weren’t prepared.
5. Clean and Seal Ducts: It’s best to call a professional for this job. Let them know you are wanting to winterize your system.
6. Install storm Windows: If you live in an area that requires these, install them now. If you don’t, this is also a great time to update older windows to double pane or to buy and install window insulator kits for them.
7. Inspect Chimney: Ask a chimney sweep for a level 1 and/or a sweep. Be sure to put a cap on the chimney as well. Now is a great time to stock up on your firewood as well.
8. Reverse Fan: This will allow your ceiling fans to work for you by helping push down the warm air. (the blades should be turning clockwise)
9. Wrap Pipes: Drain and store all your garden hoses. You want to be sure to insulate and wrap any outdoor faucets, hose bibs, non-insulated-exposed pipes, and pipes in unheated areas as well, like the garage, basements, etc.
10. Check Alarms: With the use of so much heat and fire during the winter, now is a great time to check your alarms in your house. Make sure they are properly working, install new batteries, or install new ones if needed. Have a fire safety plan in tact as well.
ONE MORE! Service or purchase Winter equipment: Depending on the type of winters your area typically has, be sure to be fully equipped and ready for whatever mother nature may throw your way. Service or purchase snow-blowers, snow shovels, rakes, ice choppers, ice melt/sand, batteries, flashlights, water, non-perishable food for emergencies, candles, matches, fire wood, generators, etc.
Everyone have a safe and happy winter!
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