Prepare
Your Home for the Winter Months
 Although
we traditionally think of spring as the season for
home maintenance, there are steps you should take in
the fall to make sure that your home is ready for the
winter months. By performing these common maintenance
tips each autumn, you can help protect your home's
value and prevent major repairs.
Roof and
Gutters
Rain, ice, snow and
wind can all cause damage to your roof and gutters.
Now's the time to trim back all tree limbs and
vegetation away from the roof. You also should remove
debris, such as leaves and sticks from your gutters
and downspouts. Clogged gutters don't allow water to
properly drain away from the home, which can cause
seepage in your ceilings and walls. You can also
invest in gutter guards, a screen that prevents debris
from entering the gutter and directs the flow of water
away from the house and into the ground.
Water Heater
You don't want to
find out that your water heater isn't operating
properly when you need it most. So use this time to
perform an annual inspection, which includes having
your tank's pressure and temperature relief valve
checked. In addition, remove sediment from the bottom
of the tank by draining two gallons of water to
improve heat transfer and the efficiency of your
heater.
Heating and
Cooling System
If you have a forced
warm-air heating system, you should check the exhaust
vent and air shutter openings for dirt and dust. Clean
any lint and dirt from the blower blades, motor and
burner (if you have a gas heater). Vacuum air passages
and check and replace, if necessary, fan belts. To
prevent airborne dirt from circulating throughout your
home, wash out your reusable filter or replace it if
it disposable.
Doors and
Windows
To help control
heating costs, you want to make sure that your doors
and windows are properly sealed. Now is the time to
repair or replace weatherstripping around door bottoms
and jambs and window frames. Check for loose or
missing glazing putty and caulking for deterioration.
If you have storm windows, install them.
Water Pipes
Frozen or burst pipes
can cause major damage to your home and be expensive
to remedy. Before frigid weather hits, protect your
pipes in unheated areas from freezing by adding
insulation, which reduces heat loss from hot-water
pipes and condensation on cold water pipes. This can
be accomplished by wrapping the pipes with heating
tape or blanket insulation and duct tape or by
encasing the pipes with preformed plastic foam. In
addition, examine your pipes for cracks and leaks.
Fireplace
Before you light the
logs and get ready to settle in front of a cozy fire,
make sure that your fireplace is in good working
order. Clean the chimney flue and if needed inspected
and repaired. Check the seal on your flue, which is
designed to keep out drafts. Replace the seal if it is
loose or damaged
If you decide to do
the fall maintenance yourself disconnect the power for
any electrical or gas systems. In addition, before
inspecting, cleaning or making any repairs refer to
your owner's manual for all equipment for proper
instructions, which should be the final authority on
any maintenance.
Although this list is
merely a guide, it can help you keep your home in good
shape and have a winter free of major repairs.
Thanks to
Gloria Mushinski, Prudential Preferred Realty,
Butler, PA
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