There are a few things homeowners should do around the house, before the long and cold winter sets in.
Checking the foundation for cracks:
Homeowners should inspect the exterior of the house in the fall, “checking the foundation for cracks and caulk in areas where pipes and wires enter the house, and where heat could escape from doors and windows”. It’s best to check for this before winter comes, because if water gets inside these cracks it freezer, and damages the structure further. To prevent this potentially costly damage, homeowners should inspect these areas beforehand, and should “caulk and seal any openings”.
Checking for air drafts from the inside:
In addition to checking for cracks in the foundation from the outside, it is also important to check for “air leaks from windows and doors” on the inside. This can be done easily by simply moving your hand over an enclosed window, and can be fixed easily by simply “applying weather stripping to affected areas”. According to Katie Cody, a “spokeswoman for Lowe’s,” having proper insulation “can save you up to 20% on heating and cooling costs,” which means it is worth checking for air drafts, because it can save you a lot of money.
Weather stripping the garage door and checking the driveway:
It’s important to weather strip the garage door, and to ensure that the opening between the door and the ground closes all the way, because it “prevents air drafts, and small animals” from entering the garage. It’s also important to fix your driveway by filling the cracks with “a driveway filler, “because if the cracks are left unattended ice will cause them to expand, which in turn will damage the driveway even more.
Checking the roof:
It’s important to check the roof for “missing or loose shingles” before winter comes, because if the roof is damaged, water, snow, and ice can damage it further. Dealing with a damaged roof beforehand ensures it functions properly, and ensures that no leaks occur when the snowstorms hit.
Gutters:
Gutters have to be clean and clear in order for them to work properly. “Clogged gutters can damage the exterior of the house, and can lead to water getting inside your basement”. Clean the gutters before the leaves fall, and cover them “with mesh guards to keep the debris from returning”.
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Heating system checked:
Having your heating system checked periodically is important because “the system will use the fuel more efficiently, and because there will be fewer problems with it”. Having it checked before “the heating season stars” is crucial, because it will save you from dealing with “last minute heating emergencies” during the cold winter months. “Noisy belts, and poor performance” are the main signs that there may be something wrong with your heating system, and that it’s time to get it checked.
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Fireplace and chimney check:
Having the fireplace checked once in a while is also very important, because having a damaged and clogged wood burning fireplace poses a risk of “chimney fires, and carbon monoxide poisoning”. This means that it is important to hire a professional to inspect both the fireplace and the chimney once in a while.
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Checking the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors:
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It’s crucial to have your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors checked in the fall, because most fires and carbon monoxide emergencies occur during the winter months, when our stoves, fireplaces, and furnaces are being used more. Given that carbon monoxide is clear and odorless and is thus easily undetected, it is crucial to have the detectors checked, and to keep extra household batteries on hand.
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Cleaning the humidifiers:
Since we will be using our humidifiers a lot during the winter months, it is important to clean them well before the heating season begins, and during it too. It’s important to keep it clean because “bacteria and spores develop in the water tanks, evaporating that unclean moisture into our rooms”.
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Organize your garage:
It’s also important to clean out your garage and yard during the fall months, and get it winter ready. This means storing your summer tools and draining the garden hose, and getting the “snow clearing equipment handy”.
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