Fall/Winter Check List

Are you ready for winter?



Here are a few helpful hints on preparing your home for the fall & winter months.
Courtesy of Pillar to post


Roof Structure

• Remove moss from roof. (Avoid pressure washing as this often causes more damage than good. Solutions & instructions can be found at most home improvement centers.)
• Check condition of flashing & repair any loose or damaged shingles.
• Clean gutters. (Even small amounts of debris can clog downspouts)
• Keep trees & branches trimmed 6 feet from roof & off power lines.

Exterior Items

• Trim all vegetation 12 inches away from siding.
• Keep earth 6 inches below/away from siding & all other wood while maintaining a gentle slope away from the home.
• Remove all debris away from home such as leafs to help keep pests away.
• Store firewood at least ten feet from home to help avoid pest infestation
• To help protect your home from water keep all gaps and joints in siding, even around doors & windows, caulked and keep well painted and sealed.
• Add storm windows in older homes for better heat efficiency.

Crawl Space

• Insulate plumbing lines to help protect them from freezing.
• Keep all foundation vents unblocked year round, except during freezing weather, to provide adequate ventilation especially in the winter months when it is most damp. (Measure & purchase correct size vent plugs before freezing weather arrives.)

Fireplace

• Have chimneys & flues professionally cleaned before use. (Soot build-up can lead to flue fires which often cause house fires.)

Furnace

• Gas/propane furnaces should be serviced on an annual basis.
• Replace/clean filters.
• Have heat registers professionally cleaned (or vacuum out as far as possible) to cut down on dust or other impurities in the air.

Interior

• Check weather stripping around doors & windows. (If you can see light around a closed door improvement is needed.)
• Replace smoke alarm batteries.
• Add carbon monoxide monitors if your home uses gas or propane for any appliances or has an attached garage. (They are also needed if you burn wood)
• Add UV lights where desired to help cope with the not so bright NW winter.

Plumbing

• If you do have "frost free" hose faucets turn water to facets off or insulate them at interior & exterior.
• Remove all hoses. Even if you have "frost free"faucets freezing water from hose can damage lines.