Today my front lawn was covered with glistening frost. I realized daylight savings was this weekend and I have a lot of chores to prepare my home for winter.These things will help your save money and keep your home pest free during the winter months.
1) Heating
•Have your Furnace Inspected and cleaned.
•Clean & Cap your Fireplace\Chimney to keep out birds and
rodents.•Change any filters in your forced air heating system.
•Consider a programmable thermostat.
•If you have Hot-water radiator bleed the valves.
2) Foundation - Mice can slip through space as thin as a dime.
•Use weatherstripping around doors and caulk windows.
•Inspect interior sill plates for dry rot or pest infestation.
•Check that Dryer Vent is properly installed and working.
•Secure crawlspace entrances.
•Inspect exterior for cracks and exposed entry points around pipes & seal them.
•Switch out summer screens with glass replacements from storage. If you have storm windows, install them.
3) Roof, Gutters & Downspouts
•Clean gutters and check the downspouts.
•Installing leaf guards on the gutters.
•Check that Dryer Vent is properly installed and working.•Secure crawlspace entrances.
•Inspect exterior for cracks and exposed entry points around pipes & seal them.
•Switch out summer screens with glass replacements from storage. If you have storm windows, install them.
3) Roof, Gutters & Downspouts
•Clean gutters and check the downspouts.
•Installing leaf guards on the gutters.
•Use downspouts extenders to direct water away from the home.
4) Weather-Specific Equipment•Drain gas from lawnmowers.
•Service or tune-up snow blowers.
•Replace worn rakes and snow shovels.
•Clean, dry and store summer gardening equipment.
•Sharpen ice choppers and buy bags of ice-melt / sand.
5) Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors•Install carbon monoxide detector near the furnace & water heater.
•Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries.
•Buy a fire extinguisher.
6) Plumbing Freeze Overs•Drain all garden hoses.
•Insulate exposed plumbing pipes.
•Drain air conditioner pipes and Sprinkler Systems.
7) Landscaping & Outdoor Surfaces
•Trim trees if branches hang too close to the house or electrical wires.
•Seal driveways, brick patios and wood decks.
8) Emergency Kit•Buy indoor candles and matches / lighter for use during a power shortage.
•Prepare a list of Emergency Phone Number and tape them by the phone.
•Buy a battery back-up to protect your computer and sensitive electronic equipment. •Store extra bottled water and non-perishable food supplies (including pet food), blankets and a first-aid kit in a dry and easy-to-access location.
•Prepare an evacuation plan in the event of an emergency.
4) Weather-Specific Equipment•Drain gas from lawnmowers.
•Service or tune-up snow blowers.
•Replace worn rakes and snow shovels.
•Clean, dry and store summer gardening equipment.
•Sharpen ice choppers and buy bags of ice-melt / sand.
5) Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors•Install carbon monoxide detector near the furnace & water heater.
•Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries.
•Buy a fire extinguisher.
6) Plumbing Freeze Overs•Drain all garden hoses.
•Insulate exposed plumbing pipes.
•Drain air conditioner pipes and Sprinkler Systems.
7) Landscaping & Outdoor Surfaces
•Trim trees if branches hang too close to the house or electrical wires.
•Seal driveways, brick patios and wood decks.
8) Emergency Kit•Buy indoor candles and matches / lighter for use during a power shortage.
•Prepare a list of Emergency Phone Number and tape them by the phone.
•Buy a battery back-up to protect your computer and sensitive electronic equipment. •Store extra bottled water and non-perishable food supplies (including pet food), blankets and a first-aid kit in a dry and easy-to-access location.
•Prepare an evacuation plan in the event of an emergency.
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