As days grow shorter and temperatures fall, it's time once again to prepare your home for the long winter months ahead. Taking a few minutes now to walk around your home--visually inspecting important systems from a safety perspective and making note of routine maintenance chores that need attention--is a great way to get started, and a good winter maintenance checklist can help.
Here are some tips to help get you started:
Clean gutters and downspouts. A clogged gutter or downspout can freeze and wreak havoc on your home. Make a point of checking your gutters and downspouts well before daytime temperature's dip below 32 degrees fahrenheit.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Use the testing feature on each device to make sure it's working. Replace batteries and inoperable units as needed.
Recharge or replace fire extinguishers. Check the gauge on every fire extinguisher to make sure it's fully charged (arrow pointing to the green area of the gauge). Remove each extinguisher from its mounting bracket and turn it upside down to help prevent the dry chemicals inside from caking on the bottom over time. If your fire extinguishers are more than one year old, consider having them inspected by a professional.
Check furnace vents. If your home has a forced air furnace, check to make sure that vents in primary living areas are open and unobstructed. You can partially close vents located in less frequently used rooms, but don't close them all the way unless you're sure there is no chance of water pipes freezing as a result. Keep in mind that temperatures inside the walls of your home will be lower than adjacent living areas.
Stock up on furnace filters. Dirty furnace filters waste energy. They also force your furnace to work harder to heat your home. Your owner's manual should explain what types of filters are best for your furnace, and how often they need to be changed. Keep in mind that a high-efficiency air filter will trap more dirt than a conventional filter and may need to be replaced more frequently to keep your furnace from overheating.
Schedule checkups for all home heating systems. Regular maintenance can help furnaces, wood stoves, chimneys and other home heating components stay in top working order. Most experts recommend that you schedule an annual inspection by a qualified professional for each system, but service intervals may vary from one system or manufacturer to another, so play it safe and check your owner's manual or contact each heating system manufacturer for guidance.
Replace worn out weather strips. Worn out weather stripping around windows and doors can dramatically increase your home heating costs. Weather strips are easy to replace, and should pay for themselves in a very short time.
Inspect the insulation in attics and crawl spaces. Over time, fiberglass insulation panels can sag away from rafters, joists and wall cavities, allowing cold air to penetrate your home. Duct tape can be used to reseat a small problem area, but extensive sagging may indicate a moisture problem. Try to determine the source of this problem before you replace large areas of insulation. And, if you decide to replace the insulation yourself, make sure you follow manufacturer guidelines for personal protective equipment.
Protect exterior water valves. Hose bibs located in an unheated garage or on the outside of your home may need protection to prevent freezing damage. Inexpensive insulating covers are available at most home centers, but it's still a good idea to shut off the water supply connected to the hose bib from inside the home. After shutting off the water supply, open each hose bib to allow any remaining water to drain. Disconnect hoses and store them inside for the winter.
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