The temps are starting to drop! Get a head start on winterizing your home so you aren't caught in the cold. Also remember to do quarterly maintenance to keep your house and appliances running smoothly!
Outdoor Tasks
- Walk around your home's exterior and check the crawl space vents located at the foundation to close any that are open.
- Check windows and doors for any cracks in the frames or separation from the home. Caulk and/or make needed repairs.
- Clear debris from gutters to ensure water flow. Removing build-up prevents icicles and ice dams from forming later and damaging gutters.
- Shut off outdoor water pipes to prevent freezing.
- Protect your central air conditioning unit with a cover.
- Store unneeded patio furniture/cushions, garden tools and summer toys.
- Move snow shovels and snow blowers to a convenient spot.
- Resist the urge to cut back shrubs and garden debris. Doing so now can impact spring growth.
Indoor Tasks
- Change or clean furnace filters to ensure maximum efficiency through the cold winter months.
- Check ceiling fans to make sure they will run CLOCKWISE during the winter months. This pushes hot air from the ceiling towards the floor.
- Purchase a window insulation kit. Window film and/or weatherstripping tape can help prevent major loss of heat through windows/frames, ensuring a warmer house and lower energy bills.
- Find draft guards to reduce air flow at the base of doors.
- Install a programmable thermostat to control temps when you aren't home.
- Do quarterly cleaning of kitchen appliances inside and out, including refrigerator coils.
- Maintain clean drains by adding one-half-cup baking soda followed by one-half-cup white vinegar. After 10 minutes, flush with boiling water.
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