Friday, September 30, 2011

Winterize The House This Upcoming Fall Season

By Dana C. Lininger


Knowing what spring cleaning implies, it is likely you have some notion what it means to winterize your home. Autumn means winter is around the corner, and you should use the occasion to make sure that your house is ready for it. Fall season, with the attendant dying out of leafy growth, is a great time to examine your house's walls, since it will be easier to spot any shrubs that are becoming invasive. Exterior siding is easily damaged by roots and vines that cling to the exterior - even bricks aren't immune - and they should be cleaned off.

When they are no longer needed to do any watering, the garden hose should all be emptied and rolled up to be placed into storage for the winter. The outside faucets need to have the water turned off, and then helped to drain dry. Have the garden furniture cleaned up and stored someplace dry, once you are done using it till the following year. In case you have any trees which are still young, and especially those that have not endured a winter, shield them by placing mulch around the base of their stems. All drainage ditches should be cleared to enable them to cope with any heavy rains.

Fireplaces pop into your head when the weather starts off getting colder. Fireplace sweeps usually are in high demand wih the initial cold spell, so avoid the queue and get in early. If you are most likely to need firewood, search for a source and create a good stock early. Try outlying areas whenever ot convenient, where natives may sell firewood without the cost of advertising.

Although you don't use a fireplace, make sure that any smoke alarms work. A lot of people leave Christmas time lights up all year, and the cords should be checked for flexibility. If you typically install storm windows, the time has come to do it. You should assess if any of the weather-stripping has become dried out from the summer's heat and has to be replaced.

The windows are seldom opened in winter, so it will be necessary to check the condition of the filters in the range hood. Make certain that the pitch of the soil around your house will still allow water to flow away. In case water appears to drain into the basement, or the foundation, that can be bad news for your house. The first damage is wet rot, which sooner or later leads to dry rot, and this is definitely something to be prevented anywhere in your home. On a regular basis examine your home for warning signs of seepage.

It seems to be unavoidable that leaks come, and the most likely places are the roof, the gutter and down-spouts, and the inside plumbing. It goes without saying, but every one of the leaks must be repaired. Minimize a draft by covering air-conditioning units, and look at wrapping exterior pipes, especially if the house is older. Dust is more quickly seen in winter months, so shampooing the carpets is recommended. You may as well use the chance to thoroughly clean the windows.




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