Doug Malam

INTRODUCTION

• ·        It’s all too obvious that fall is here and winter is closing in so now is the time to get your home ready for colder weather.  If you’ve ever tried to put on the storm windows when it’s below freezing outside you’ll agree that procrastination does not pay off when it comes to our fall and winter home winterization chores.  I promise if you do the items on this checklist you’ll enjoy the snow and not worry about your home throughout the winter months.

 HEATING SYSTEMS

• ·        Furnaces are becoming more and more like vehicles where most of us can’t service them any longer.  Seasonal preventative maintenance by a certified and trained technician is vital for the efficiency of your heating system which will also extend the life of your furnace.  There are many great programs and services offered through most local utility companies.
• ·        Replace your furnace filter regularly, each month is recommended for fiberglass filters, or longer with a higher efficiency type, throughout the entire year but especially when the colder weather makes you close up your home throughout the winter.
• ·        Clear obstacles from your heat registers and cold air return grilles to allow proper air flow.
• ·        Check your carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they’re working properly going into the fuel burning season.
• ·        Check your humidifier and clean or replace the filter to insure proper water flow.
• ·        Clean your air exchanger filters and make sure exterior intake and exhaust vents are secure and free of debris.

  WOOD BURNING FIREPLACE / CHIMNEY / FLUE

• ·        Check that the chimney is clear of any nests from birds or squirrels.
• ·        Check flue damper operation, make sure it opens and closes fully and can be locked in the open or closed position.
• ·        Test the chimney draft, make sure the chimney will draw up the fire and smoke properly.
• ·        If it has been several years since you had your fireplace chimney cleaned; you should have it cleaned by a professional chimney sweep.
• ·        Inspect the fire brick in the in the fireplace, if you see any open or cracked mortar joints have them repaired immediately.
• ·        Check your fire-extinguisher pressure gauges.

 AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER

• ·        Turn the exterior power off to the condenser unit by pulling the circuit out, turning it upside down and then reinsert it into the slot.  This will prevent the AC unit from being accidentally turned on during the winter months which will damage the unit.
• ·        Clean off the top and outside area of the condenser unit.
• ·        Check the unit for cracks and inspect the seals to make sure everything is sealed up properly.  If you find a crack or broken seal contact a service technician.
• ·        Cover the top of the unit, this will protect it from the elements and prevents the onset of rust or weather wear.

  PLUMBING

• ·        If you have any exposed water or drain pipes at all in uninsulated spaces such as in crawlspaces, attic, porches or outside walls, etc., make sure to insulated them with foam insulation at a minimum.  Ideally you should wrap them with electrical heating tape first, then insulate them and monitor the areas throughout the winter months.
• ·        Turn off water supply to all exterior faucets inside the house.  Then you’ll need to drain the water from the pipe by opening up the faucet.  I would also suggest you consider an insulated cover for each exterior faucet as well.
• ·        Disconnect your garden hose from the exterior faucets and drain them if you store them outside.

  INSULATION

• ·        Insulate your water heater with a blanket that you can get at any home improvement store.
• ·        Insulate outlets and switch boxes on exterior walls with inexpensive foam sealing gaskets.
• ·        Check your attic, this is the primary source for heat loss in a house.  It may be a great time to take advantage of tax benefits to add a few more inches of insulation to your attic space.  Also, make sure that your attic access panel is sealed.
• ·        Check the rim area of your foundation walls and floor framing spaces for adequate insulation, this is another big heat loss area in many homes.
• ·        Clean the lint from the dryer duct and from the interior of the dryer housing (I know this isn’t really an “insulation” issue but it’s important to do nonetheless).

  DOORS & WINDOWS

• ·        On a day when it’s not windy outside close your windows and doors then feel for air leaks.  You can use an incense stick or a non-scented smoke gun as well.  Watch the smoke trail to see if you have any leaks around your window sashes.
• ·        If your windows are leaking or allowing cold air in you can put plastic over your windows but this can be expensive and look a little less than beautiful, it can also reduce the light you need/want coming into the rooms during the short winter days.  A better solution may be caulk or additional foam weather stripping.
• ·        Check the weather stripping around your doors, the weather strip on the sides and tops of the door jambs can be easily replaced as can the threshold weather strip on the bottom of the door that is often times damaged just through normal use.
• ·        Lubricate door hinges and storm door springs.
• ·        Test the auto-reverse safety feature on your garage door openers.
• ·        Check the weather stripping on the bottom and sides of your overhead garage doors.

  SIDING & ROOF

• ·        Look for loose siding and exterior trim or anything else that can become brittle and fall off or get blown away during the frigid winter months.
• ·        Check the roof for loose, missing or damaged shingles and have them replaced.
• ·        Check the flashing around chimneys and other roof projections like furnace flues and PVC plumbing stacks.  This flashing especially if it’s caulk or tar can dry out, shrink and crack.
• ·        Make sure gutters and downspouts are clean having no leaves.  Wet leaves remaining in the gutters over winter add significant weight and volume to the gutter when frozen and increase the risk of damage as well as add to the possibility of ice dams.

  SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

• ·        Have your sprinkler system winterized no later than the end of October.
• ·        Winterizing your sprinkler system should include turning off the water supply and blowing out the lines with an air compressor through the sprinkler lines to purge them of water and prevent them from freezing and bursting.

  LAWN & LANDSCAPING

• ·        Prepare your yard for winter, many experts believe that fall is the best time to distribute fertilizer and weed control for slow release over the winter and during the spring thaw.
• ·        Drain any water from fountains and unplug fountain pumps to prepare for the winter.  Also empty potting soil from any pots left outside so they don’t crack.
• ·        Clean any and all leaves or other materials from window wells allowing maximum water drainage.
• ·        Cover patio furniture.
• ·        Clean and degrease exterior concrete surfaces.
• ·        If the deck needs it consider giving it a fresh coat of sealer before winter.
• ·        Fill the gas tank in your lawn mower
• ·        Wrap trees and shrubs prior to winter.
• ·        Root-water trees and shrubs prior to freezing.

  SUMMARY

• ·        This may seem like a long list of chores but it’s really about a day’s work if you stay focused and are prepared.
• ·        When I’m showing or inspecting homes I can see a drastic difference between the homes where these items are taken care of each year and where these items are neglected.
• ·        If your home is for sale and/or vacant many of these items still need to be done and will make sure your home withstands yet another winter in good shape.
• ·        This list of items is important and there are many companies that will take care of your winterizing duties affordably if you don’t have time.

Doug Malam, Broker Associate

RE/MAX Results

952-829-3802