As the temperatures dip, make sure you take some time to handle a few tasks around your home to keep your property in good shape and help insure that you’re prepared for a safe winter.
Clean the gutters – As winter approaches, have your roof gutters cleaned. For most of us, calling in the pros is the safe bet. Making sure your gutters are free of leaves will keep water flowing and prevent ice damming when the temperature gets below freezing. Frozen gutters often result in water back up and inside damage when the thaw begins.
Disconnect all garden hoses – Don’t forget to disconnect the garden hose and turn off the inside water supply to the outside spigots. You want to prevent water from freezing at the outside spigot and in the water line leading to the outside.
Check the condition of the shutoff valves in the water supply lines inside leading to the outside. Particularly in older homes, these valves can leak over time, and may not shut off completely, allowing water to reach the outside spigot and leak from the valve itself. Checking on these valves regularly can prevent a slow drip from creating a serious problem or water damage from cracked or frozen pipes.
Remove tree limbs that overhang your home – Tree limbs that overhang your house pose a serious risk of damage during wind or ice storms. Limbs covered in snow and ice can break off under the weight and particularly when the wind picks up. That’s a home insurance claim that can be avoided.
Use candles with caution – The holidays call for festive decorations, both inside and outside. Be cautious where you light candles. Using lit candles in displays and garland arrangements pose a fire risk. Never leave a room unattended where there are burning candles, and always extinguish candles at night when you leave a room.
Don’t staple materials on house siding – Small holes in siding, door and window trim may not seem like much of an issue, but think about it. Over time, small holes can cause these materials to deteriorate, causing costly repairs. Visit your local hardware or home supplies store for low cost solutions to hanging seasonal decorations outside. Good advice anytime of year.
Start your backup generator – Don’t wait until the weather forecast says the bad weather is coming tomorrow. Make sure the back up generator that’s been in storage since last year is primed and ready to go. Check it out. Start it up.
A clean chimney is a safe chimney – Chimney fires are a leading cause of fires in the home. Wood fires create a buildup of creosote in your chimney that reduces the draw of the fireplace, lessens its efficiency and may cause a fire. Before you open the flue and bring in the logs and kindling, determine if your chimney needs a cleaning. It’s best to call in the pros.
Did you know that between 2:00 - 4:00 AM the most home fire deaths occur? Be safe. It’s critically important that you don't leave fires burning when you go to bed.
These recommendations will help you prepare for the winter months and enjoy the season.
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