The summer heat has come to an end and it’s time to get ready for the colder winter months. If you haven’t already started preparing your house for winter if you live in a region that experiences severe weather, now is the time. This weekend, you should be able to do all of these DIY projects if you don’t mind getting your hands dirty and are comfortable with a ladder.
Get your roof inspected
If you can’t go up on your roof to check for damaged shingles, a professional can do it for you.
A simple afternoon’s work should be all that’s needed for any minor repairs, and any contractor you engage to do the inspection should be able to handle both (replacing shingles is usually a quick process). It may be more expensive than you’d want to spend, but putting it off all winter might result in much higher repair costs in the spring.
Winter storms, particularly heavy rain and hail, may do significant damage to a roof; thus, it is crucial that any problems be fixed before the roof is subjected to its ultimate test, which is packed snow.
Reverse your ceiling fans
After turning on your heating system, if your ceiling fan includes a reverse switch, you should flip it so that the fan’s blades rotate the other way, clockwise. According to Energy Star, the fan will create an updraft, which will force warm air from the ceiling to be drawn down into the room (remember, hot air rises).
This is especially useful in rooms with high ceilings, and it may even make it possible for you to reduce the temperature on your thermostat by one or two degrees, resulting in greater savings on energy.
Get your chimney inspected
Make sure your fireplace (or any heating device burning gas, oil, wood, or coal), chimney, and vents are all clean and in excellent working order before lighting your first fire of the season. As a result, you won’t have to worry about chimney fires or carbon monoxide leaks.
Try to find a sweep who has earned recognition from the Chimney Safety Institute of America
Cut back tree branches
A winter storm unleashing the fury of that enormous tree whose branches are arching over your roof is the last thing you need. Overhanging limbs may also cause extra water to seep into gaps in your home’s roof or siding, which is why you should keep any tree limbs or branches around your home at least 3 feet away from the house.
Check your insurance coverage
It doesn’t matter how hard we try, sometimes things just don’t go our way. After something unfortunate has occurred, the last thing you want to do is be left wondering if you had sufficient coverage. It is in your best interest to examine your homeowner’s insurance policy on a yearly basis in order to confirm that it provides the necessary level of protection. Make sure you are protected by contacting your insurance agent right away.
Recaulk your windows and doors
Reapply exterior caulk if there are spaces larger than the width of a nickel between the siding and the window or door frames. (Make sure you double-check the seals around your windows and doors.) If you need caulk for the outdoors, silicone is your best choice since it doesn’t dry out and can withstand the environment.
Find a “rain-ready” silicon window or door product. It’s also a good idea to inspect the putty used in insulating windows (which seals glass into the window frame). Replace any damaged weatherstripping around your doors so that you have complete privacy from the outside world.
Wrap Your Pipes
A possible threat exists in the form of any exposed pipe that either runs along a wall or is located in an area that is not heated (such a basement or a crawl space, for example). When temperatures fall below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the water within the pipe may freeze, which may cause it to explode. Insulating the pipe is a cost that should be considered in order to prevent an even greater expense from occurring.
Turn On The Heat & Change Your Filters
Furnace filters should be replaced at least once every three months, however some experts advocate replacing them once a month. Request that an HVAC specialist come out and examine the furnace to ensure that everything is in working order. During their examination, they will clean the furnace and replace the filter. It’s worth spending a little more to have your ducts cleaned as well.
Let Your Faucets Drip
When the temperature outside is particularly low, it is a good idea to keep a faucet that supplies cold water dripping. This will help prevent the water from becoming freezing. If water is going through the pipes, even at a slow trickle, the likelihood of the pipes freezing is reduced.
It is advisable to keep the flow at a consistent rate of less than one gallon per hour.
Clean Your Gutters
Every season calls for this, but maybe the most crucial period is just before winter. If there is a lot of snow in your location, your house will have to support that weight. Your gutters might be yanked from your house if they bear too much weight.
The fact that your property might suffer water damage if you don’t clean your gutters is possibly the most crucial argument. Overnight melting and freezing of snow and ice might cause expensive damage. Make sure the melting snow has a place to go so that it doesn’t end up near your home.
Check Your Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Detectors
The majority of home fires occur during the winter. The moment has come to crank up the fireplace and fire up the furnace. Carbon monoxide is a far more serious threat now that we are much more inclined to keep our homes sealed up. Make sure the smoke alarms in your home are in working order and that the batteries are fresh. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed in every house in the United States. Since poorly ventilated heaters and water boilers are the most common causes of carbon monoxide poisoning, an HVAC check will also verify that these appliances are safe to use.
