Winter is right around the corner, and it’s time to do some home maintenance. With a little work and preparation, you won’t have to worry about any burst pipes or other disasters this winter. Before the temperatures drop, be sure to take on these home maintenance tasks.
Check Your Heating System
Replace the air filter on your furnace and inspect your heating vents. If you feel more comfortable having a professional handle HVAC issues, it’s a good time to call for seasonal maintenance. The pros can check for carbon monoxide leaks, clean vents, top off the fuel supply, and do any other necessary maintenance. We network with several HVAC companies and can help connect you with one if needed.
Install Insulation
If you need to replace or upgrade your home insulation, make sure this is on your to-do list before the cold weather arrives. When your home is well insulated, it will stay warmer in the winter, cutting down on your heating costs. Not all crawl spaces have insulation in them, and sometimes critters have nested or caused other damage, so you’ll want to make sure you check this area.
Add Weather-Stripping
Put weather-stripping around your doors and windows to keep the cold air out and the warm air in. The result will be a cozier home with lower heating bills. Caulking around your windows and any other places you find gaps will also keep cold air (and rodents) out of your house in the wintertime. If you need the glass repaired on your windows, you’ll likely need to call in a professional. You can expect to spend between $170 and $375 for this project depending on the extent of damage and type of window and glass.
Blow Out Your Sprinklers
If you don’t want broken sprinkler pipes and heads come springtime, you need to get all the water out of your system. You can hire someone to winterize your sprinkler system for $50 to $150, or do it yourself. All you need to do is use an air compressor to blow air through the entire system, zone by zone.
Disconnect Your Hose
According to leading plumbing companies, freezing temperatures are one of the leading causes of burst pipes. If you leave your garden hose attached to your outdoor spigot, water will be trapped inside it. When this water freezes, the spigot and the pipe behind it may burst, flooding water inside your house.
Insulate Your Pipes
Speaking of pipes, any exposed pipes in non-insulated locations like the attic, crawlspaces, etc. should be insulated with foam pipe insulation to avoid freezing and bursting. Also remember, if you go out of town for any period in the winter, be sure to leave hot and cold water dripping in your faucets to avoid frozen pipes, too.
Get Your Fireplace and Chimney Inspected
If you haven’t used your fireplace in months, you need to clear the chimney of any obstructions (such as tree branches, birds’ nests, and other debris), make sure the damper is working, and have the chimney professionally inspected and cleaned. These steps are necessary in order to ensure you can safely use your fireplace this winter.
Reverse Your Ceiling Fans
Maybe you have never reversed your ceiling fans, but you should. In the winter, the blades should go clockwise, and the fan should be at its lowest speed. This will pull cooler air up, displacing the warm air near the ceiling (because warm air naturally rises) and pushing it down into the room, which can cut heating costs by 10 percent. In the summertime, your fan blades should go counterclockwise. There should be an easy-to-find switch on your fan to reverse the direction of the blades.
Before the freezing temperatures hit your area, it’s important to go around your house and complete the aforementioned maintenance tasks. If you take time to winterize your home with the help of some professionals, you can stave off burst pipes, furnace malfunctions, and other cold-weather issues. A little time spent now will keep you warm and cozy this winter.
If your home or business has had a fire, flood, or other property damage, for immediate help contact Advanced Recovery at (866) 577-0617.
Guest written by Aimee Lyons @ diydarlin.com
Image via Pixabay
