We can’t believe it either. Fall is here and winter is fast approaching. Soon we’ll be curling up in front of the fireplace during the next winter storm wishing for spring and not thinking about what the harsh weather is doing to our homes.
We can help – Follow these few steps, most of which you can do on your own and you can protect your home and prevent weather related problems.
1) Prepare Your Fireplace, Wood Burning Stove Or Pellet Stove For The Season.
Grab a flashlight and look inside the flue for nests, cracks and soot. Ensure that your damper opens, closes and seals tightly. Clean out any ashes that are left from last winter. Then go to the outside and check around the chimney for debris, lose bricks and ensure that nothing is blocking the flue. You should also have your chimney professionally cleaned at least every other year. Finally, stock up on wood and kindling, and now you’re ready to get cozy by the fireplace.
2) Cleaning Around The Exterior Of Your Home.
Leaves and tree brush can freeze together and block drainage pipes. Take a weekend to cut off any dead branches and rake or mulch your leaves. Don’t forget to trim the over grown plants rubbing and growing into the siding of your home. Also, when snow does fall, do your best to keep it away from the foundation of your home so it can melt and drain towards the street or your yard to prevent ice build up.
3) Cleaning Out Your Gutters.
Besides your furnace, cleaning out your gutters is probably one of the most important items during the fall cleaning season. Clogged gutters block the drainage of rain and melting snow coming from your roof, resulting in leaks and damage to home’s walls and foundation. Grab a ladder, a garbage bag, gloves and make sure there is someone to help you out. A spotter is crucial when you are on a ladder or roof due to safety concerns. After you’re done cleaning the gutters, don’t forget about the down spouts. Make sure they’re clear of any obstruction. To make sure the entire system is unclogged and leak-free, run some water through it from a garden hose. This way you know the system will run properly.
4) Prepare Your Water Pipes For Winter.
Frozen pipes can flood a home and do a lot of damage. Bring in all of your hoses from the outside and shut the valves that lead to the outside water spigots. After the water’s been shut off, open the valves and make sure the water properly drains out. After all of your outside water spigots are taken care of, bring your attention to the inside pipes. Look around at all the exposed pipes within your home and make sure they are properly wrapped with pipe insulation and sealed with duct tape. By doing this you’re preventing water damage to happen and conserving energy costs at the same time.
5) Home Heating System.
The most important item to check off of your fall maintenance check list is your furnace system. Make sure it’s cleaned out and tuned-up for the upcoming winter by your service provider. This ensures it’s in optimal working order and there is no danger to you and your loved ones.
Now that a professional has checked out your system. There are a few things you can do as a homeowner to make sure everything is OK in your boiler room. First, make sure there are both a smoke and carbon monoxide detector in the room. If not, you can go to your local home improvement store and buy one. Then, make sure there is no debris around the furnace and the room is clean. This will make sure nothing can catch fire. And finally, keep an eye on the system. Every once in a while take a peek at it and listen to it to make sure it’s working properly. This way if you see something or hear something that’s wrong, you can let your service provider know before the problem gets worst.
Hopefully by completing all of these steps, your home is now protected for the harsh winter months.
Thinking about remodeling a kitchen, bathroom or the exterior of your home? Get a free in-home consultation today…
Do you live in Westchester County, NY or Fairfield County, CT?
Remodeling Consultants is design-build firm in Mamaroneck, NY with more than 50 years experience. This family owned and operated business has completed thousands of home improvement projects in New York and Connecticut. They will sit down and talk with you about how to add more value to your home through various home remodeling projects.
To read testimonials from past success stories and to review samples of their work visit Remodeling Consultants website, their Facebook page, Google+ page and their Houzz page. Or you can contact them by calling (914) 381-6900.
