Everyone puts off those last minute maintenance chores until the weather turns cold. So we felt bringing back this previous blog entry, a list of items that will make the transition into winter mode that much easier.
Heating
Furnace
Inspection; Having your furnace
inspected and is operating at peak efficiency is a wise investment. Typical cost for a technician to inspect and
clean your furnace is around $80 to $100.00.
This is a small price to pay to avoid a costly repair on the coldest day
of the year when your furnace won’t start.
Change your furnace filter every 30 days or so, if you have animals who
shed hair a more frequent replacement might be required.
Check or
have your chimney checked for any cracks, missing brick or mortar or loose rain
cap. The freezing thawing action of
water penetrating small cracks can do a lot of damage over the winter
season. If you have a wood burning
fireplace you should consider having it cleaned prior to use and have the flue
tiles inspected for any cracks or deficiencies.
If you have
ceiling fans now is a good time to clean the dust and lint off the blades and
reverse direction of motor. Forcing the
warm air down will make your living area feel much more cozy.
Windows
& Doors
Caulking
Windows; Clean your windows and doors
inside and out. This is a great time to
check your seals and exterior caulking.
Ensuring your seams on brick and concrete window sills are not open can
save you a lot of money on needless repairs later on. Water can enter your exposed seams cracking
mortar and eventually damaging the brick below.
This “spalling” as it is known, happens when clay style brick absorbs
moisture, which then freezes and blows off part of the brick surface.
Check all
your door closures to ensure they all operate smoothly. Screen doors should have glass panels lowered
or installed on older models. Basement
windows screens in window wells are susceptible to damage from rodents and
other small animals. Screens should be
removed and stored for the winter.
Replace any damaged door seals or sweeps to prevent drafts from entering
home during the cold months. Operate
your garage doors and lightly grease track for smoother and quieter operation.
Roofs &
Gutters
Flashing Not
Sealed on Roof; Inspect your roofs shingles for any damaged or missing
tabs. Pay close attention to any
flashings on walls or chimneys to ensure that they are completely sealed. Caulk any suspect areas to be doubly sure of
preventing any roof leaks. Clean out
any debris in gutters and ensure your downspouts and extensions are in good
condition. If you have an older home
using heating cables for eaves or downspouts, now is a good time to ensure that
they are in good working order. Put
away your rain barrels and ensure your splash pads and extensions are directing
water away from your home.
Plumbing
Draining
Exterior; Tap Drain all your exterior water lines to prevent freezing. I personally always leave the exterior tap
open and have never had a freeze up problem.
If you have hose reels installed, now is a good time to store them after
draining out the water. On older homes
with crawlspaces now is a good time to close ventilation vents and cover with
insulation in preparation for winter.
Any in ground sprinkler lines should have already been blown out by your
sprinkler maintenance company, if not call them immediately.
Wrapping
your hot water tank and hot water lines with insulation can save you money all
year long. Check your sump pump by
either lifting float or pouring water into unit to ensure it is in operating
condition.
Drafts &
Air Leaks
Energy
experts estimate about 30% of the heat in your home is lost to leaks and
drafts. Adding foam seals to exterior
wall outlets can stop and lot of heat loss.
Check any penetrations on the exterior wall of your house and seal any
gaps with caulking, this stops both cold air and moisture from entering your
home. Check you interior for leaks and
missing insulation at penetrations. Most
contractors will not replace your vapor barrier or insulation when they install
electrical or heating vents. Replacing
insulation and re-sealing vapor barrier can save a lot of heat loss over the
course of a winter.