Prepare your Home for the Cold, get it Winterized

Prepare your Home for the Cold get it Winterized

All it takes is about a weekend to prepare your home for the cold and get it winterized. Winterizing your home will make your home more energy efficient, keep your family nice and toasty, and avoid damages produced by the cold, wind and ice.

Some things that should be done to get your home prepared for the Cold:

HVAC System:

• Have your furnace/ boiler system cleaned and tuned up by a professional. Remember that once winter starts it    may    be hard and more expensive to get somebody to come out to your house during an emergency.
• Change filters on your furnace to maintain air quality
• Clean your humidifier and if needed replace you evaporator pad Inspect the firebox and flue system to ensure that they’re clean of any soot or creosote and that there aren’t any cracks or voids that could cause a fire hazard.
• Make sure all ducts in the attic basement or crawl space  are sealed and no drafts are present
• Bleed valves of your radiators to ensure efficiency
• Make sure fans are switched to the reverse or clockwise position, which will blow warm air down to the floor for enhanced energy efficiency and comfort.
• Take time to make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly and change batteries

Windows and Doors:

• Check all the weatherstripping around windows and doorframes for leaks to prevent heat loss. Replace damaged weatherstripping, if necessary.
• Replace all screens with storm doors, and storm windows
• Examine wooden window frames for rot, replace as needed to maintain integrity and avoid drafts
• Gutters, Roof and Drains:
• Check for missing, damaged or warped shingles and replace, as necessary before you get stuck with a leak, to avoid major repairs
• Check for deteriorated flashing at the chimney, walls, and skylights and around vent pipes. Seal joints where water could penetrate, using roofing cement and a caulking gun.
•  Clean all gutters, remove debris to ensure proper flow of water and melted snow. Make sure that downspouts extend away from the house to avoid foundation damage.  Check the gutters and downspouts for proper fastening, and re-secure if loose or sagging. The weight of snow and ice can pull gutters off the house.
• Ensure all vents and openings are covered to prevent insects, birds, and rodents from getting inside to nest in a warm place.

Lawn and Garden:

• Trim any nearby trees, if you have any tree branches hanging near your roof, windows, or driveways, trim them back. Snow and ice will weigh them down and possibly cause them to break
• Remove any attached hoses and store them away for the winter to prevent cracks, preserve their shapes, and prolong their life. Wrap outside faucets with covers to prevent water damage.
• Shut off exterior faucets. Drain water from outdoor pipes, hoses, valves, and sprinkler heads to protect against pipe bursts.
• Inspect outdoor lighting around the property. Good illumination will help minimize the chance of accidents on icy walkways at night.
•  Check handrails on exterior stairs to make sure they’re well secured.
• Plant spring flower bulbs and lift bulbs that cannot winter over such as dahlias in areas where the ground freezes.
•  Seal driveways, brick patios and wood decks.

Yes this all may seem a bit overwhelming but it may avoid headaches, major damages and save you big bucks!!!