Before you know it, the cool and crisp feeling of fall will turn into bitter cold and snow on the ground.
There are many ways that you can get ready for the winter season. Take some time this week to get your home ready for winter in the following ways:
Check your Gutters and Drains
Those leaves that fall have to go somewhere, right? The places they tend to fall are in your home’s yard and the gutters. Take some time to clear your gutter of leaves and other debris that may have fallen in there throughout the year.
By clearing your gutters and drains of leaves and other debris you will avoid blockages and minimize the risk of water damage when the snow starts to fall.
Also make sure there’s no misalignment of drains, which could lead to water running down the side of your house. And don’t forget to check the shoe at the bottom of the drainpipe is facing away from your property.
Sweep your chimney and check your tiles
While you’re up on the roof checking out your gutters, make sure to check your roof. If you have to think hard on when the last time was that you checked your roof, it’s probably a good idea to give it a look over to check for any slipped, missing tiles or worn concrete.
If you have a chimney, don’t forget to maintain it to avoid chimney fires. It’s also worth checking the lead flashings around your chimney to see if there are any missing.
Keep your pipes toasty
Pipes bursting can be quite the common problem that happens in the winter months. Many people forget to take proper measures that will ensure their pipes won’t freeze up. If this does happen, it can create a nasty escape of water, which can eventually lead to flooding and serious damage.
The best way to keep on top of pipes is to protect them with a foam layer. This will act as insulation and will prevent them from freezing and bursting. Additionally, if you’re going to be spending time away from your home during these months, it’s a good idea to set your heating to come on for at least an hour a day.
Get your furnace checked
Having no central heating over the winter months is the last thing you’d want to worry about. It’s cold and miserable and can become quite costly to repair or replace your furnace.
A qualified member of our team would be happy to make sure that your air filters are in great shape and that your furnace is running at optimal levels all winter long. If a replacement furnace is needed, you can trust our team to get you a great unit at an even better price.
Check the insulation
Around a quarter of heat in your house is lost through the roof. So insulating your loft and wall cavity is a good way to keep your home nice and toasty, while using less energy.
Also, check around the seal of your home’s windows to make sure that there are no leaks coming through. If you feel cold air around your windows, that is a good indication that heat is escaping through the window. You can re-caulk around your window, and that can do the trick in most cases.
