While many of us are not yet ready to think about snow and freezing temperatures, October is a good month to start preparing for it. There are several jobs we should take care of in our homes and around our properties to make sure they are ready for the cold. Here are a few of them:
We spend a lot of time doing yard work during the fall months. One important job to get done is cleaning out the gutters. If this is not taken care of before the temperature goes way down, any debris in the gutters will freeze and become heavy which may damage the guttering. The sprinkler system is another thing to take care of. Make sure there is no water and air left in the sprinkler system as this can create cracks. You will also want to protect outdoor furniture by storing it in a dry place or covering it.
Test the home's heating system. Now is a good time to do it, before you really need it. An easy way to test if it’s working well is to turn the thermostat up and observe how long the system takes to respond. If it is taking an unusually long time, it may need to be serviced. This is also a good time to replace air filters and, if your home is heated with oil or propane, get the tank filled so it's ready to use. If you have a fireplace, have it inspected to make sure it is still safe to use.
When outside temperatures are particularly low pipes are prone to freeze and burst in the unheated parts of the home which can damage the home's plumbing system. Cover pipes in the attic, crawlspaces or any other areas which are not heated with foam or fiberglass insulation to protect them from freezing and keep the temperature of the home high enough so that pipes will not freeze even in these areas.
These are just some of the ways you can ensure your home stays warm and free of damage during the long winter months.
We spend a lot of time doing yard work during the fall months. One important job to get done is cleaning out the gutters. If this is not taken care of before the temperature goes way down, any debris in the gutters will freeze and become heavy which may damage the guttering. The sprinkler system is another thing to take care of. Make sure there is no water and air left in the sprinkler system as this can create cracks. You will also want to protect outdoor furniture by storing it in a dry place or covering it.
Test the home's heating system. Now is a good time to do it, before you really need it. An easy way to test if it’s working well is to turn the thermostat up and observe how long the system takes to respond. If it is taking an unusually long time, it may need to be serviced. This is also a good time to replace air filters and, if your home is heated with oil or propane, get the tank filled so it's ready to use. If you have a fireplace, have it inspected to make sure it is still safe to use.
When outside temperatures are particularly low pipes are prone to freeze and burst in the unheated parts of the home which can damage the home's plumbing system. Cover pipes in the attic, crawlspaces or any other areas which are not heated with foam or fiberglass insulation to protect them from freezing and keep the temperature of the home high enough so that pipes will not freeze even in these areas.
These are just some of the ways you can ensure your home stays warm and free of damage during the long winter months.
RSS Feed