15 Ways To Winterize Your Home

15 WAYS TO WINTERIZE IS YOUR HOME From general around-the-house maintenance to furnace inspection, Bob Jenson Air Conditioning and Heating Inc. created this checklist that makes preparing your home for winter a breeze. Tune Up Your Heating System: have a technician inSpect SSS your furnace or heat pump to be sure the system is clean and in good repair for top-efficiency. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans: run blades in a clockwise direction af ter you turn on your heat to create an updraft to push hot air downward. Check the Roof: Iook for damaged, loose, or missing Shingles that may cause leakage during storms. Caulk Around Windows and Doors: if gaps between the door or window frames are bigger than the width of a nickel, you need to reapply exterior caulk. Clean the Gutters: clogged gutters can back up against 谷 the house and damage roofing, siding, and wood trim that may lead to leaks. Divert Water: add extensions to downspouts so that water runs at least 3 to 4 feet away from the foundation. Turn Off Exterior Faucets: un-drained water in pipes can freeze, which will cause pipes to burst as the ice expands. Start by disconnecting all garden hoses and draining the water that remains in faucets. Mulch Leaves When You Mow: mow your leaves instead of raking them, so then you can cut the leaves, while dry, into dime-sized pieces that will fall among the grass blades, where they will decompose and nourish your lawn over the winter. Stow Your Mower: when you store your mower for the season, any remaining fuel in the engine is likely to decompose, causing difficulties later when you try to start the engine. Running the engine of its last bit of fuel will keep it running longer come Springtime. Hold Pruning Until Late-Winter: starting this process too early may cause drying out branches and poor grow th once Spring arrives. Test Your Sump Pump: Slowly pour several gallons of water into the sump pit to see whether the pump turns on. You should do this every few months, but especially after a long dry season or before a rainy one. Call a Chimney Sweep: before you burn any logs this winter, make sure your fireplace, chimney, and vents are clear of debris. Check Your Alarms: experts recommend replacing batteries in smoke alarms twice a year, and replacing it if the device is more than 5 years old. Carbon monoxide de tectors are also important to have if you use a lot of gas appliances during the winter months. Protect Your Pipes: to minimize the possibility of water freezing in your plumbing pipes, wrap each pipe in a blanket of foam insulation. Add Insulation: check the attic to see whether you need to add insulation, which experts recommend Should be at a 12- inch minimum. This will not only keep you warm, but will prevent mold, discourage pests, and reduce the risk of a fire. Air Conditioning and Heating www.bobjenson.com Sources: www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/real-estate/T029-SO01-12-ways-to-prepare-your-home-for-winter/index.html www.bhg.com/home-improvement/maintenance/weatherizing/prepare-your-home-for-winter/#page=1 Designed By: Best Rank, Inc.