The leaves are turning and the air is crisp and cool. After you mourn the loss of summertime, take a few steps to prepare yourself and your home for the upcoming winter season. These 6 tips can make a huge difference and as a homeowner, it’s important to check up on a few things.
Do you have gutters? Before it is time to hang holiday lights, take a look at your gutters and be sure they are clean! It is easy for leaves and brush to get caught in the gutters throughout the summer and fall and may cause a build-up of ice and snow if it is not cleared before the winter season. This build-up could damage your roof and/or shingles. It’s a quick fix and slows the aging of your roof!
While you’re outside, be sure to remove your hoses and turn off the water to any exterior spigots. After you turn off the water, be sure to drain all the water that remains in the pipes. Any water left inside can expand once it freezes and causes cracks or bursts in your pipes down the road.
You know that little switch on the side of your ceiling fans? Surprise! It has a purpose. You can switch the direction of your fan’s spin. I know what you’re thinking. Why would you do that? Turning the direction of the fan creates an updraft and will actually push the hot air that has traveled to the ceiling down into the rest of the room. It also will help to circulate the heat from room to room and could save you money on your bill every month. Make the switch!
Prepare your snow removal machine to be sure it turns on. Leaving your snowblower untouched through the summer months can dirty the carburetor and make it difficult to start and run your machine. You never know when the snow is going to fall and in the midwest, let’s be honest, it could be September. Start that baby up now and make sure it’s ready to clear your driveway when the time comes.
Make sure your attic doesn’t become a home for critters when it starts getting cold. We all know heat rises, and with your attic being warm and sheltered, it can be an ideal spot for critters to make a home when it gets frigid outside. YUCK! Take a lap around your house and patch any holes or entries to your attic. You can add wire mesh to gable vents to give yourself an extra layer of protection from squirrels, birds, or any other critters.
For around $100, you can have your furnace serviced to be sure everything is in working order. Call sooner than later to make sure you’re on the books during a busy time. That way, if something goes wrong, you still have time to fix it before it really gets cold. You can also have them check to be sure you don’t have a carbon monoxide issue before snowfall. Well worth it.