The following checklist is in no way a hastening of winter; rather, it’s a stress reducer, because a little time spent preparing your home for winter now will save you a great deal of grief later.
Begin with the exterior of your home while warmer temperatures prevail and then move to the interior:
Roof
Have the roof inspected for damage that could potentially cause a leak. If you wait to see a water stain on your ceiling, you’ll be fighting an uphill battle to get it fixed. And, you’ll have additional damage to the attic and ceiling to repair.
Gutters and downspouts
Ask the roof inspector to look at the gutters, because if granules from the shingles have come loose they will accumulate in the gutters.
Gutters and downspouts function to carry water away from the foundation of your home. Over time, debris collects and blocks the water from flowing freely. This can lead to water pooling near the foundation, which can damage concrete. Clear gutters by scooping out debris until water flows throughout the gutter and downspout system.
Fireplace
Gas and wood-burning fireplaces should be inspected annually. The gas lines, venting system, ignition components and overall functionality of a gas fireplace should be inspected to prevent potentially deadly carbon monoxide leaks. This is a good time to clean dust from the inside of the fireplace and remove the film that builds up on the glass before flipping the switch this fall. YouTube has tutorials demonstrating how to open the fireplace and clean it properly.
For a wood-burning fireplace, hire a chimney sweep to inspect the chimney for loose or missing bricks and the flue for creosote buildup. The flue is the duct that carries gases and smoke safely out of the home and creosote, a by-product of burning wood, accumulates inside the flue and can be flammable if left unchecked.
Outside faucets
Close all shut-off valves that carry water to outside faucets. Disconnect hoses and drain the faucet of all remaining water so it won’t freeze, causing pipes inside your home to burst. To be safe, protect the faucet from freezing with a styrofoam cover, which can be purchased at any hardware store.
Windows and doors
Seal leaky windows and doors with weatherstripping, caulk or a draft stopper. (I’m fond of the door stopper that’s covered in brown felt and resembles a dachshund.) Attaching a door sweep to the bottom of the door will physically block strong drafts. These easy measures will keep the heat inside, the cold out and your money in your pocket.
Furnace
Have a professional HVAC technician inspect your furnace before you wake up to find the temperature of your home is down to 55 degrees. Replace the furnace filter, and purchase a package of three filters to keep handy for timely filter changes going forward.
Ceiling fans
While the fan is off, clean the blades with an extendable duster and use a vacuum to clean the housing. Then, locate the direction switch on the housing, flip it to the opposite direction, and set the fan on the lowest speed. Look up at the blades – you want them to be moving in a clockwise direction. Warm air rises, and when the fan is moving in a clockwise direction it is pulling the warm air up and pushing it out to the walls and down to the living space. This keeps you more comfortable and helps save money on the heating bill.
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Dust can cause a smoke detector to chirp. Avoid this by using a vacuum attachment to clean it. Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, or make the switch to the 10-year battery smoke detector. Keep extra batteries on hand and change them next spring.
Dryer vent and duct
The dryer’s lint trap should be cleaned after each load. The dryer duct, which runs under the floor from the dryer to the vent outside the house, should be cleaned every one to three years. It fills with lint over time reducing dryer efficiency and increasing the chances of causing a fire. The U.S. Fire Administration estimates there are about 3,000 dryer-related fires every year. You can find a professional duct cleaner with a quick internet search.
Garage
Go to the garage and put the ice scraper in the car and make sure the snow shovel is at the ready.
Now, kick back and enjoy a pumpkin spice latte by the fire pit knowing that winter will not blindside you this year.
