No matter what part of the country we live in, it is important to take a look at steps that we can take to winterize our homes. Even if you live in a warmer climate like we do, there are steps that you should take every fall. Not only will these things help to make your home more comfortable, but it will also help you to save money. Even those of us in the south need to remember one thing…the only state where the temperature has never dropped to zero is Hawaii.
The first thing you should do is to have a furnace inspection. Contact your local HVAC professional to have your furnace inspected and to clean out your ducts. If you can find a good price on furnace filters, stock up on them and make sure you change them monthly. If you do not already have a programmable thermostat, consider switching to one. If your home is heated by a radiator, open the valves slightly to bleed the lines, and close them once water appears. Also, make sure all flammable materials are removed from around your furnace.
If you have a chimney, be sure to cap or screen the top of the chimney in order to keep out debris and small birds. If the chimney hasn’t been cleaned for a while, contact a professional chimney sweep to properly clean out the soot and creosote to reduce fire risk. Make sure you purchase firewood or chop wood and be sure to store it in a dry place away from the exterior of your home. Also, have the fireplace damper checked to make sure it opens and closes properly. Also have the mortar between the bricks checked for cracking and damage.
You should also check your home’s exterior, as well as the doors and windows. Check for crevice cracks and exposed entry points around pipes, and seal if necessary. Replace any worn weatherstripping around doors, and repair caulking around windows. Replace any crack glass in your windows and doors. If your home has a basement, it is a good idea to protect the window wells with a plastic shield. If you have storm windows, now is the time to put them up and remove the summer screens.
If your winter temperatures drop below freezing, adding an extra layer of insulation in the attic will help to prevent warm air from getting to the roof and creating ice dams. Also, check the flashing on your roof to make sure that water cannot enter your home. Replace any worn shingles. Make sure the gutters are clean and clear any debris in the downspouts. Give some thought to installing leaf guards to keep debris out of the gutters.
Here at Actsoftx.com, we would be proud to put our 30+ years of experience to work for you in making sure that your home is ready and safe for the winter. As always, you are the most important part of our remodeling team.
Gary Harris