Winterizing Your Home In Washington DC Metro
A surprising amount of damage can result from a homeowner's failure to winterize their home, especially in cold climates like Washington DC which can experience below-freezing temperatures. If you've never seen freeze-related damage, trust that you never want to! Here are the steps you can to take to protect your home during winter months.
HVAC Check
Have a pro perform a furnace inspection and duct cleaning before you switch the heat on for the season
Keep three months' supply of furnace filters and change monthly
Replace your old thermostat for an efficient programmable thermostat
Bleed radiator valves
Fireplace and Chimney Inspection and Maintenance
Late summer/early fall is a great time to have your annual chimney and fireplace inspection
Buy fuel and/or firewood and store at least 500 feet away from the home in a dry place
Arrange a chimney sweep and any repairs necessary
If you don't already have a cap on the chimney to block birds and animals from nesting, install ASAP
Doors and Windows
Apply weather stripping to doors where necessary to block cold air from entering the home
Caulk windows
Cover basement windows with weather wrap
Remove screens and install storm windows
Prime and paint exposed wood on the exterior of the home
Roof
Inspect roof, gutters & downspouts for inconsistencies, missing or loose shingles, flashing or tiles
Add extra insulation to the attic if needed and apply evenly
Clean out gutters and use a strong hose spray through downspouts to flush debris
Install leaf guards on the gutters
Install downspout extensions to direct water away from the home
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