Everybody knows that prevention is better than cure, and there’s no better time to start prepping your home for the coming cold weather than now. Getting and staying on top of little things will keep you from dealing with disasters in the dead of winter, when no one wants to be waist deep in water or freezing their fingers off in the middle of their living room.
Performing regular maintenance checks will keep your home in tip top shape, and save you from shelling out your hard earned dollars for costly emergency repairs.
Clear Your Eavestroughs
Clogged eavestroughs can lead to damaged exterior surfaces and water running into your basement. They are also more prone to rust and corrosion. Clearing out your eaves troughs and covering them with mesh guards will keep the debris from building up again.
Check For Leaks
A home with air leaks around windows and doors will hurt your heating bills during the cold months. Check windows and doors for gaps in caulking and weather-stripping. A simple test: close a door or window on a strip of paper; if the paper slides easily, the weather-stripping has probably deteriorated over time and should be replaced. Alternatively, hold a lit candle near a door or window. If the flame flickers, you have a leak.
Upgrading your weather-stripping is probably the easiest, most cost effective way to stop leaks and save yourself some money.
Find Your Leaks
A leaky roof is more than just an annoyance, it can lead to costly repairs if not addressed. Though discovering the source of a leak can be time consuming, you’re better off nipping the problem in the bud now, before snow and ice can turn a small problem into a huge disaster.
Fix Faults In Your Driveway & Sidewalks
While damage to your walkway, drive, and steps can prove dangerous year round, icy conditions will make a bad situation worse. Look for cracks that are more than 1/8th of an inch wide, uneven sections, and loose railings. Fix the little problems in the fall to prevent unnecessary injury, and further damage from freezing temperatures.
Inspect Your HVAC System
Ideally, you should inspect your HVAC system twice a year, as this is the kind of healthy homeowner habit that can save you money on completely avoidable and costly repairs down the line. Don’t be intimidated – this article will tell you what you need to know about doing a general run inspection of your HVAC to get it ready for fall. <link to “HOW TO: INSPECT YOUR HVAC SYSTEM”>
Double Check Your Smoke & CO Detectors
You should regularly check the safety alarms in your home to ensure they’re working correctly. Replace batteries, and vacuum them with a soft brush attachment. Test your existing detectors, and make sure you have a unit installed on every floor of your home, including the basement. In addition, every home should have at least one fire extinguisher rated for all types of fire – the label should say “A-B-C”). Keep one near the kitchen, though having one on every floor is a good idea. Regularly inspect your fire extinguishers by checking the indicator on the pressure gauge to make sure it is charged. Make sure the lock pin is in place and check the discharge nozzle is not clogged. Clean the extinguisher and check for dents, scratches and signs of corrosion. If damage is severe, or if your extinguisher is more than six years old, it should be replaced. Mark the new date on the unit in permanent marker.
