Winterizing Your Home

2/10/2022 (Permalink)

Winterizing My Home

Daylight saving time always clues me in that colder weather is on its way. Winterizing my home becomes my priority. Florida’s cold front usually bring wind and rain prior to their arrival. Below are some tips to help you complete the winterizing of your home:

1. CLEAN THE GUTTERS

Falling leaves can create a buildup in your gutters and cause rainwater to overflow. The water needs a clear path to the downspout. While you are at it, look for areas where gutters are loose and may have torn away from the house. Reattach them using gutter spikes, brackets, or hangers. Clean, well-secured gutters are essential to protect the foundation of your home and reduce the risk of basement flooding.

2. CHECK YOUR SMOKE DETECTORS

When you change the clocks to standard time, change the batteries in your smoke detector. Fall is a wonderful time to install new batteries as you are preparing your home for cooler. If your detector chirps that is a sign the battery is low. Always replace the batteries in your detector immediately if they chirp no matter the time of the year. Once you’ve replaced the batteries, always test the smoke detector: It’s as simple as pushing the button to make sure the alarm goes off. Do not forget hardwired smoke detector systems; many have battery backups, and those batteries need to be replaced, too. The life expectancy of a smoke detector is 10 years. These alarms are constantly checking the air for smoke, after 10 years, the effectiveness of the alarm my decrease.

3. HIRE A CHIMNEY SWEEP

The National Fire Protection Association recommends an annual chimney inspection. These fireplace pros remove soot and creosote that build up in the chimney and pose a fire risk. A professional chimney sweep, certified through the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), will clean the chimney and inspect the entire fuel venting system for warped metal on the damper, cracked or collapsed flue tiles, cracks in the exterior masonry and other signs of fire damage. A clean chimney makes it safer to build a fire in the winter; it will also make your fireplace more efficient.

4. PERFORM FURNACE MAINTENANCE

Call in the pros before turning on the heat in your home. Regular maintenance ensures that your furnace runs at peak efficiency. Without semiannual maintenance (in the spring before running the air conditioner and in the fall before turning on the heat), airborne allergens may get trapped in the filters, resulting in poor indoor air quality. Always have the  furnace inspected to make sure it’s in good working order and changing the filters before starting it up for the first time.

Furnaces that are not cleaned at least once a year can wear out more quickly and can stop working altogether. And soaring energy costs make it more important than ever to ensure the furnace is running efficiently. ?

5. WINTERIZE WATER PIPES

Data from the Insurance Information Institute shows that almost 30 percent of homeowners insurance claims were related to water damage and freezing. So, make sure to drain outdoor water faucets and winterize water pipes to reduce the risk.

You can winterize water pipes by locating your hose bib shut-off valve, which may be in a basement or crawl space, and turning it off at the source. For extra protection, purchase a Styrofoam cover that attaches over the outdoor faucets to keep them from freezing.

These quick fixes can provide protection against the elements as temperatures drop. You may also want to shut off water to exterior faucets and drain sprinkler systems for extra protection against freezing pipes and water lines.

6. ASSESS WINDOWS AND DOORS

Heat lost through windows and doors can account for up to 30 percent of home energy use, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. To keep heat in the house, look for cracks or gaps in the exterior caulking, check seals around exterior door and add caulking or weather stripping as needed.

SERVPRO OF SANTA ROSA COUNTY

850-939-4700