Winterizing Your Home

The cold came quickly this year!  Is your home ready for winter?  The following tips will help you to stay safe and warm this winter:

Service Furnace
Have a professional inspect and perform required maintenance.  Clean filters monthly to improve airflow and to ensure furnace runs efficiently.  This can reduce heating costs.


Service Fireplaces and Chimney
The fireplace chimney must be cleaned to remove creosote. Creosote is the flammable residue that sticks to the walls of a chimney pipe. If ignited, creosote can start a fire.  A wood-burning fireplace may need to be cleaned more than once a year, depending on the amount of use.

Gutters
If the gutters are blocked, melting ice and snow can't drain properly. Water can dam up and refreeze.  This can cause serious damage to your roof.  Clean out debris by hand and run a hose through the gutter system to detect any leaks or misalignments. Also make sure that water is draining away from the house properly.

Wrap Pipes
Wrap exposed water pipes in insulating tape.  This will prevent water freezing which can lead to pipes bursting.   Remember to shut off outdoor water, let faucets drain and disconnect hoses.

Replace Batteries and Test Alarms
One of the most important safety steps in winterizing your home is also one of the easiest: Put fresh batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.  Detectors should be replaced every ten years.

Windows and Doors
Check for air leaks and damaged weather stripping.  Caulk and replace weather stripping where needed.  Consider storm doors and windows. 

Adjust Ceiling Fan Rotation
Reversing your ceiling fan is a simple way to prep your home for winter. Counter-clockwise fan rotation causes cooler air to be pushed down in the warmer seasons, while clock-wise rotation channels warmer air downward in the winter.