Now that we are in the middle of October its time to start getting your property ready for those cold winter months. While this might not be the most thrilling prospect fall is the best time to do this. So, here are a few of the ways your home can be prepared for winter:
There is usually a lot of yard work to do in the fall. To make sure the home is equipped for the cold, you should include gutter cleaning in the list of jobs that should be done. All debris needs to be cleared from gutters so that it does not freeze which will weigh guttering down and increase the risk of damage. Cover outdoor furniture and check that all water and air is drained from the sprinkler system as this can easily crack in freezing temperatures.
Another way to prepare the home for winter is by testing your heating system. An easy way to do this is to turn up the thermostat and observe how long it takes for the system to respond. If it is slow, it may need maintenance. This is also a good time to have the fireplace and chimney inspected to make sure they are working well and safe to use. If you use oil or propane to heat the home, get the tank filled. Replace air filters.
During winter damage can occur to the home’s plumbing system in the form of pipes freezing and bursting. This is because pipework reaches most areas of the home, including those that are not heated or occupied such as crawlspaces and attics. To prevent this, cover pipes in unheated areas of the home with fiberglass insulation or foam and keep the indoor temperature at a level high enough so that pipes will not freeze in the unheated areas.
As we can see there is wisdom in preparing your home for winter now while temperatures are still moderate.
