Winterizing Your Home

CHECK THE EXTERIOR, DOORS AND WINDOWS

• • • • • • • • • • Inspect exterior for crevice cracks and exposed entry points around pipes; seal them.
                  • Use weather stripping around doors to prevent cold air from entering the home and caulk windows.
                  • Replace cracked glass in windows and, if you end up replacing the window, prime and paint exposed wood.

HVAC SYSTEMS

• • • • • • • • • • Get your HVAC system serviced, and have your duct work checked to be sure the air flow is uninterrupted and free of holes from pests.
                  • Reverse all ceiling fans in the house. This will help push warm air downward and force it to recirculate.
                  • Change the air filters in your home.
                  • Check the cold air return vents and make sure they are not blocked by furniture. Your furnace needs these to operate at high efficiency.

SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

• Install a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace and/or water heater.
• Replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• After replacing batteries, test all detectors to make sure they work.
• Buy a fire extinguisher or replace your existing one if it is older than 10 years.

CHECK FOUNDATIONS

• Rake away all debris and vegetation from the foundation.
• Seal up entry points to keep small animals from crawling under the house.
• Tuck-point or seal foundation cracks. Mice can slip through space as thin as a dime.
• Inspect sill plates for dry rot or pest infestation.
• Secure crawlspace entrances.

PREVENT PLUMBING FREEZES

• Locate your water main in the event you need to shut it off in an emergency.
• Shut off the water to your hose bibs inside your house (via a turnoff valve), and drain the lines. Then insulate the spigot itself.
• Insulate exposed plumbing pipes that pass through unheated areas of your home, like the garage for instance.
• Flush your water heater to remove built-up sediment.
• If you go on vacation, leave the heat on, set to at least 55 degrees.

GET THE FIREPLACE READY

• Cap or screen the top of the chimney to keep out rodents and birds.
• If the chimney hasn’t been cleaned for a while, call a chimney sweep to remove soot and creosote.
• Buy firewood or chop wood. Store it in a dry place away from the exterior of your home.
• Inspect the fireplace damper for proper opening and closing.
• Check the mortar between bricks and tuck-point, if necessary.

PREPARE LANDSCAPING & OUTDOOR SURFACES

• Trim trees if branches hang too close to the house or electrical wires.
• Turn off your sprinkler system.
• Clear the gutters of fallen leaves and debris.
• Ask a gardener when your trees should be pruned to prevent winter injury.
• Plant spring flower bulbs and left bulbs that cannot winter over such as dahlias in areas where the ground freezes.
• Seal driveways, brick patios and wood decks.
• Move sensitive potted plants indoors or to a sheltered area.