Winter is here, which means its time to protect your home from the elements.
Winter is one of the most important times to project your home. A few hours each week could save you money and the headache that can come with most winter trials. To keep things simple, we’re going to break the homeowner TO DO list into a two-part blog.
Let’s start with your furnace, as it’s pretty important to staying comfortable in colder weather. When’s the last time you looked at your furnace? Can’t remember? Then it’s been too long.
We’ve compiled a few helpful tips to help keep your home in top shape all winter.
Furnace and heating maintenance
• Call an HVAC professional to make sure your furnace is running properly and clean the ducts.
• If you use a hot-water radiator, bleed the lines until water appears, the close them.
• Clean, or remember to replace your furnace filters. (Some filters need to be replaced, others can be put into the dishwasher for cleaning and then reinstalled.)
• Use technology to your advantage; if you have an old thermostat it may be time to update to a programmable thermostat to allow you to set the heat when you’re home and turn it off when you’re away.
• Santa is coming to town, which means it’s time to clean the fireplace and chimney! Just like your furnace, if you can’t remember the last time you had your fireplace cleaned, then call a chimneysweep. (Note: It’s also a good idea to have firewood cut and stacked.)
• Close all windows and make sure the seals are intact.
• Check door gaps and make sure they’re sealed. Use weather-stripping around doors to prevent cold air from entering your home.
• Check your attic insulation and add insulation, if needed, to ensure heat isn’t leaking out of your roof.
• And last, but possibly most important, move anything flammable away from the furnace.
Water and home maintenance
• Avoid water damage and clean the leaves and debris out of your gutters and downspouts. Installing leaf guards will also help with keep gutters clean and lessen future work.
• You won’t need to mow your lawn anytime soon, so drain the gas out of your lawnmower and store your lawnmower in a dry location.
• Make sure rakes and snow shovels are in shape and replace any old ones. The last thing you want is for a snow shovel to break while clearing a driveway or walkway.
Well, sounds like you have some work to do, so get out there and protect your biggest investment, your home.
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