The weather has turned cold, not just chilly, but biting cold! We might not be ready for it, but it’s important to get our homes ready for another Wisconsin winter. There are several tasks you’ll want to finish to help get your home prepared for winter and minimize the probability of preventable issues. Here are a few of them for you to work on or hire someone to help with.
Protect your pipes: When water freezes and expands, it can cause your pipes to crack or burst. A few ways to reduce the probability this will happen is to shut off outside water valves and let them drain out. If you leave for the weekend or go on vacation, make sure to keep you home heated to a minimum of 55 degrees to prevent the pipes from freezing and bursting.
Protect your pipes: When water freezes and expands, it can cause your pipes to crack or burst. A few ways to reduce the probability this will happen is to shut off outside water valves and let them drain out. If you leave for the weekend or go on vacation, make sure to keep you home heated to a minimum of 55 degrees to prevent the pipes from freezing and bursting.
Fireplace: Keep the flue closed when you are not using it. Have your chimney inspected annually and cleaned as needed.
Furnace filters: Replace your furnace filter as directed (tip: add it to your calendar). Properly maintaining your furnace is important in reducing unwanted problems and cold nights.
Vents: Make sure your heating vents are not obstructed by furniture. It’s also important to get your vents professionally cleaned every couple of years.
Clean gutters: All the fall activity can leave your gutters clogged which prevents water from draining well and can lead to roofing issues, seepage, and ice dams. Depending on how badly your gutters fill up, you might want to consider investing in gutter guards.
Protecting your roof: Have a snow rake handy and use it to prevent build up of snow that might cause damage to your gutters and roof. For maximum protection, proper insulation is key. But that’s not a small work item!
Ceiling fans: If your ceiling fan has a reverse switch, run blades clockwise with your heat on. It will create an upward draft and push the hot air down from the ceiling. This is especially helpful if you have high or vaulted ceilings.
If you need help finding a local expert with any of these or other home needs, please visit AlvaradoList.com
