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It's the Most Wonderful Time of The Year!
Here are a few winter preparedness
tips for the season:
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Make sure your smoke detector has fresh batteries and that the fire
extinguishers are fully charged.
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Since your heating system will soon be getting a work out, you'll need to
change or replace filters and clean the vents. Now might be the time for a
professional duct cleaning as well.
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You'll also want to have your chimney cleaned to prevent dangerous creosote
build up.
- Give the yard and gutters a thorough cleaning and move debris away from
the perimeter of the house.
- This is a good time to trim back the branches of shrubs and trees that
are touching the house. You can reduce the damage from winter ice and snow
storms, which often send tree limbs crashing through roofs, with some
prevention now.
- Detach hoses for storage in the shed, and, since you won't be using your
sprinklers until the spring, check the system for leaks, drain it to prevent
burst pipes and shut it down.
- You'll want to protect your outdoor furniture from winter weather too.
Cover up or store items like seat cushions or umbrellas. Larger pieces and
grills will need a waterproof cover.
- Lots of things we keep in garden sheds won't make it through a freeze,
so be sure to remove paints, caulks and liquid materials to a warmer
location, like a basement.
- Protect your roof by replacing any shingles that are loose or missing.
To keep the weather from finding other ways inside your home, be sure to
caulk any gaps around window or door frames.
- It's also time to remove screens and put up storm windows. Be sure to
clean windows outside while you're at it, and label the screens so you'll
have an easier time replacing them in the spring.
- Your clean and checked chimney won't do much good without the wood for a
fire. So cover up the woodpile to keep it dry and make sure you have a
supply of kindling ready to go.
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