Take advantage of the moderate temperatures of early
fall and prepare for the winter to help protect your largest asset and
investment: Your property!
1. Rain
Gutters: If you have
been meaning to have these installed but have not yet then now is a great time
to have that done. Diverting the flow
of rain, melting snow and ice away from your home is really important and can
help prevent rot and leaks in places you may never even suspect. If you already have gutters then near the end
of fall, after most of the leaves have fallen, be sure to have leaves and other
debris cleared out and rinsed with a hose. Doing this helps to prevent the much
larger headaches of overflow and drainage issues during winter and spring.
2. Outdoor
faucets: Be sure to drain garden hoses and pack them away and
drain any outdoor shut off valves or faucets.
Irrigation systems and outdoor sprinklers should also be properly
drained and turned off to avoid freezing and bursting once the temperatures
plummet.
3. Fire
Safety: It is a good habit to always change the batteries
in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors twice a year, to coincide with the
Daylight Savings Time changes. Winter also brings with it cozy candles, cooking
and use of fireplace and woodstoves. It is important to have at least one
working fire extinguisher located in or near your kitchen but many advise having
one on each floor. Make sure fire
extinguishers are charged and usable.
4. Have
furnace checked: Have your furnace inspected now so that you can take care of any problems
before you really need the heat. It is recommend that homeowners change the
furnace filter every few years, but a regular maintenance program should also
include checking the pilot light and thermostat, and opening heating vents to
make sure everything is working safely and efficiently.
5. Chimneys
and fireplaces: Chimneys and fireplaces should be evaluated by a licensed inspector to help
avoid any accidents caused by creosote buildup, dirty flues, or other hidden
dangers. Make sure to keep your dry wood in a place you will be easily able to
access it and where it will stay dry.
6. Pack
away outdoor furniture: You may be tempted to leave your
patio or deck furniture outdoors during the all year but it will last much
longer if it is stored indoors. Clean and allow completely dry then cover with
blankets to prevent damage. Be sure to
property cover your grill as well.
7. Yard:
Have your lawn aerated and seed patchy areas of grass. Also fertilize with a
high phosphorus mix to ensure healthy grass in the spring. Plant any new shrubs
and bulbs for spring. Trim perennials back and if deer tend to feed on your
plants or trees during winter months when food is scarce, be sure to cover
plants with netting and chicken wire.
Have branches hanging too low trimmed before they become weighed down
with snow and ice.
8. Peeling
paint: Check the
exterior trim and siding for any peeling paint. When this happens the existing paint film is failing and can no longer
protect the siding of the building. Left uncorrected, the siding itself will
deteriorate, leading to expensive repairs in the future. The low humidity and temperatures of early
fall create the perfect conditions for exterior painting to be done.
9. Inspect
shingles & roof:
Your roof is the first line of defense for protecting the entire home
and you will want to confirm it is in good shape before winter to avoid
discovering that you have a leaky roof during a snowstorm. Look for missing or loose shingles and have
repaired or replaced. if the shingles
appear to be curling up then it is time to make a plan to have the roof reshingled
or have a new roof installed. Install
heat tape in areas prone to ice dams or where the pitch isn’t steep enough to
allow for snow to slide off.
10. Ceiling
fans:
Change the direction of your ceiling fans to create an upward draft which
redistributes warm air from the ceiling down to the floor.
Nicole Foster is a Broker with Regency
Realty specializing in new construction, single family and residential
properties. She lives in Windham with
her husband and four children.
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