December can be the busiest time of the year for every household—decorating the house for the holidays and having families and friends over to celebrate. However, homeowners would often forget the crucial part of December preparation. It is to protect your home from the cold winter weather, including the possibility of high winds and storms.
Going out to collect tools or call for help during emergency winter repairs can be very challenging with streets and building entryways covered in thick snow. Do not let the winter weather dampen your holiday spirit. Be proactive and follow this easy winter preparation checklist for your home. If you’d like more information about gutter cleaning be sure to visit Bax Clean.
Test run your furnace.
Your furnace is probably the most important equipment in your home during winter. It is a major component of your central heating system and works to keep your indoor spaces warm and comfortable.
To avoid a furnace breakdown during the cold winter months, make it your top priority to have the equipment serviced by a licensed professional. Fall is the perfect time to schedule furnace maintenance and tune-up since it gives you enough time to work on necessary component repairs or replacements.
Check your roof for leaks.
Your house roof is your line of defense against harsh weather conditions. That is why maintaining its quality condition and durability is vital. During a winter rain or storm, water can seep through your interior walls or ceiling because of roof leaks.
Make sure to fix a leaky roof immediately; otherwise, you’ll be paying for a new roof installation the next year. To help, check your roof for any holes, cracks, and broken or missing shingles or tiles, don’t hesitate to ask the help of a licensed roof repair in madison wi.
Clean up your chimney and fireplace.
Even if you only use your chimney and fireplace once or twice a year, it could become a potential hazard in your home once left unchecked. According to the National Fire Protection Association Standard 211, chimneys, fireplaces, and vents must be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Chimney cleaning is both difficult and risky, so it would be better to invest in a professional service than do it on your own.
Inspect your water heater.
Having no hot water during winter does not only bring great inconvenience. It can also affect your health. Health experts say that drinking warm water regularly during winter can help strengthen your immune system against winter diseases.
Whether you have a storage-tank water heater or tankless water heater at home, make sure to prepare the equipment for winter use by scheduling a professional water heater service. There are also preventive maintenance tasks you can do on your own, including checking the pressure relief valve and draining sediments from the tank.
Clear the gutters.
Autumn leaves and other dirt debris can form a blockage in your gutters. When the snow melts in winter, a gutter blockage will cause the water to pool around your foundation, causing damage to the structure.
You can prevent water damage in your house exterior by practicing periodic gutter cleaning. Compared to getting your gutter repaired or replaced, it only takes a small amount to clean your gutters. If you don’t feel safe working at height, you can always hire certified cleaners to do the job for you.
Prune the yard trees.
Winter weather always comes with the possibility of storms or high winds. Aside from preparing your indoors to be warm and comfortable, you need to check on potential hazards outside your home.
Dead or low-hanging tree branches can fall on structures inside your property or your neighbor’s, which, either way, will cause you tens of thousands of dollars in repair costs. Make it a practice to prune your yard trees before winter arrives to avoid accidents and damage on the property.
If your trees are too big for DIY tree pruning, hiring a team of professionals – for example, Elk Grove tree pruning expert service – can help you complete the tree pruning procedure safely before the winter.
Add insulation.
Adding quality insulation in your home can help to keep the cold out during winter. It is also an effective way to save on heating costs.
Among the critical areas in a home that need insulation are attics, garages, basements, exterior walls, doors, and windows, and ceilings. There is a variety of insulation materials you can use, but the most popular is foam insulation.
Gather snow removal tools.
Snow buildup on structures and entryways can be a serious problem during winter. To help you prepare for a DIY snow removal job, make sure to drop by your local hardware store for handy tools. A roof rake can be useful in removing snow buildup on your roof.
Connect with a 24-hour plumbing repair team
Extreme cold temperatures can cause a strain on your plumbing system. You can trust a 24-hour plumbing repair team to respond to your emergency calls during winter. Experts at Zing Plumbing say that the longer you wait, the more damage occurs to your plumbing system. That is why at first sight of a plumbing problem, call a 24/7 plumbing team right away!
