Although it may be the last thing on your mind during the hustle and bustle of the holidays, winterizing your home now will save you time and money come spring. Here are ten maintenance tasks to help prevent weather-related damage to both the interior and exterior of your home:
Before starting any fires in your fireplace this winter, make sure to sweep the chimney clean. This will help prevent any dangerous and destructive house fires.
Clogged gutters cause exterior and interior wall damage, as well as foundation damage to your home.
Before a winter storm hits, stock up on supplies like shovels, scrapers, and non-toxic ice melt for pets. In addition, check that your flashlights have fresh batteries and you have enough gas to power the generator.
Clearing snow from your roof after a storm will help prevent damaging ice dams. A roof rake is an easy way to do this and should be done right away.
If you can, remove the ice from your roof and gutters carefully. Alternatively, if you have heat cables installed, turn them on.
Keep your home clean and tidy by storing coats, hats, and gloves in your mudroom or entryway. This will also protect your flooring from any damage that could be caused by shoes or boots.
Not only will your home’s insulation improve by upgrading to storm windows and doors, but you’ll also see a decrease in heating costs.
Before winter arrives, take these simple steps to prevent your pipes from freezing: disconnect hoses from outside faucets, insulate exterior pipes (especially those near windows and doors), and keep your thermostat set to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re away from home.
You can save money on your heating bill by caulking your windows and attaching door sweeps to keep cool air out of your home. Also, check the weatherstripping on both windows and doors.
This season, take the time to check your carbon monoxide detectors. By making sure they’re working now, you’ll be prepared in case of an emergency.
Our experienced team at GTFM can help you figure out the best design and installation options for your home. Contact us today and get a free consultation!