Fall Signifies It Is Time For Your Household To Be Winterized

By Ryan C. Shaw


Spring cleaning happens to be something most people do, but probably only a few people understand what it is to winterize your house. Autumn means winter is around the corner, and you should use the occasion to make sure that your house is ready for it. During fall it really is easier to examine the outside of the home, since the foliage is dying away and you can more easily see if shrubs are attached to the house. Siding is quickly damaged by roots and vines that cling to the surface - even bricks aren't immune - and they should be cleaned off.

If they are no longer needed to do any watering, the garden hose should all be emptied and rolled up to be put into storage for the winter. The water to any exterior faucets should be turned off, in order that they can drain and get dry. When you're done with your backyard furniture for the year, clean it up and then store it in a dry spot. If you have any trees which are still developing, and especially those that have not endured a winter, shield them by placing mulch around the base of their stems. All water drainage ditches really should be cleared so they can cope with any heavy rains.

Once the weather conditions starts to get colder, it is time to start thinking of fireplaces. Almost everyone needs a chimney sweep at the same time when a cold spell shows up, so call early to beat the rush. If you are likely to need firewood, locate a source and create a good stock early. When cruising around outlying areas, you will discover local people who sell fire wood, without lots of advertising. Although you don't make use of a fireplace, make sure that any smoke alarms work.

Check out and confirm that all the smoke sensors are working, irrespective of whether you light fires in winter or not. If you leave your Holiday lights set up for the whole year, check that the cords are still flexible. If you usually install storm windows, now is the time to do it. You must check if any of the weather-stripping has become dried out from the summer's heat and has to be replaced.

Over the winter season, the windows are still closed most of the time, so make sure that the filters in your range hood are in good working order. Check the land surface around your house to make sure that it still slopes away. You wouldn't like the problems associated with water getting into the basement or the foundation. The first affect is wet rot, which ultimately leads to dry rot, and this is definitely something to be avoided anywhere in your home. Regularly examine your home for warning signs of seepage.

It seems to be unavoidable that leakages come, and the most likely places are the roof, the gutter and down-spouts, and the inside plumbing. If you discover any leaks, you should obviously get them repaired. Encapsulate any external pipes, certainly so if your house is older, and cut down drafts by placing a cover over air-conditioning units. Your floor coverings ought to be shampooed to clear out dust which in winter is readily noticed. While you are at it, you might as well clean the windows.




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