With winter just around the corner its important to be prepared. Cold temperatures can wreak havoc on your homes integral systems. Winterizing your home is the best way to combat expensive repairs, and stressful situations. When it comes to home maintenance to prepare for winter there is no time like the present. Here are some home maintenance tips to help you prepare for winter.
#1 Pipe Insulation
One of the most important things on your home maintenance checklist when preparing for winter is to make sure your pipes are properly insulated. Make sure the proper insulation is installed on your pipes to help prevent your pipes from freezing, especially pipes that are exposed to the elements. Insulate pipes in crawl spaces and attics as well.
#2 Disconnect Your Garden Hose
You may not give much thought to your garden hose, that is until you suffer from frozen pipes and faucets as a result of leaving it connected. Water left inside the hose can freeze and expand and
not only damage the hose but also cause damage to your plumbing as well. So always remember to disconnect your garden hose during the colder months as part of your home maintenance.
#3 Inspect Your Sump-pump
Your sump- pump provides a very important service when heavy rains falls. Before increment weather sets in, as part of your home maintenance, you should always make sure you sump-pump is ready. Make sure the sump-pump is working and free of debris. A sump-pump that isn’t working properly can lead to flooding, which can cost thousands in damage.
#4 Have Your Furnace Inspected
Preparing your furnace for heavy usage before the colder months set in is also important for your home maintenance. Have your furnace inspected to make sure that all the parts are well maintained and in good working order. Make sure the burners are cleaned and free of dust and soot, which can cause your furnace to work less efficiently and lead to other problems. You should also make sure your thermostat is working correctly.
#5 Clean Vents
As part of your routine maintenance you should make sure to have your vents cleaned before heavy usage. Over time dust and other unpleasant debris can buildup in your vents which can obstruct air flow and also make you sick. Have you vents cleaned and filters changed out at least once a year.
Preventative routine home maintenance is the best way to avoid any disasters with your plumbing and hvac system. You don’t want to be caught off guard during the winter months with a faulty system so get a head of the crowds and schedule your routine home maintenance today.
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