The joys of home ownership includes keeping our humble abodes in top shape year round. Not only does this keep headaches and costly unnecessary expenses at bay, it also protects your investment in the long term.
At our previous home, we lived on a hill and did not have too many trees to worry about. However, our current home near the bottom of a slope, and there are many beautiful trees with thousands of leaves that fall in autumn and large branches that may come down in heavy winds or snow & ice.
Check out this handy checklist to get you started on preparing your home for winter.
Test smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers and all ground-fault interrupters
Service your furnace / heat pump and replace or clean filters - Performing regular maintenance can help prevent minor problems from becoming costly major repairs
Inspect and clean your chimney is you regularly use your fireplace
Clean bathroom and kitchen vents
Clean dryer vent, washer filter and check laundry area for leaking hoses
Check water heater for leaks
Check crawlspace insulation, vapor barrier and vents
If you have a sump pump, test that it is working properly
Look for stains, mold or mildew, daylight around penetrations (windows, doors etc.), and disconnected vents in the attic
Remove debris from gutters, widow wells, and downspouts throughout the fall
Treat moss on your roof
Make sure downspout water is properly draining away from your home
Rake leaves, prune trees and shrubs after the leaves turn to encourage healthy growth
Trim limbs that may impact your home or power lines during stormy weather
Disconnect garden hoses and drain in-ground sprinkler systems. If you do not have frost free faucets, install foam covers
To prevent pipes from freezing or bursting, ensure pipes on exterior walls are well insulated
Grass roots are growing deeper to prepare for winter - Now is the ideal time to re-seed and fertilize your lawn
Stock up on winter supplies such as a snow shovel, salt/sand for sidewalks and car window scrapers