A Fall/Winter Homeowner Checklist

Proper home maintenance is important for so many reasons. Safety for your family, expand the life of appliances etc, and resale will be much higher in a home that's been maintained properly vs one that hasn't been. Here's some tips for winterizing your home!

Interior

•  Regularly change your furnace filter. Check the manufacturer’s booklet for other routine maintenance that may be needed for your furnace.

• Pour a pitcher of water in your floor drain and upper level over-flow pan which surrounds the base of your washer to prevent sewer gases from escaping into your home. (Proper maintenance calls for this to be done once a month).

Note: Some over-flow pans may not be connected to the main plumbing system. Instead, the drain from the pan runs down to the utility room and discharges onto the floor. If this is the case in your home, it is not necessary to pour water in the pan.

• Regularly test your smoke/fire detectors and also carbon monoxide indicators. Vacuum the outside of each unit to clean it. Replace battery at this time. (This should be done two times per year. An easy reminder is at each daylight savings time).

• Test your G.F.I. (Ground Fault Interrupter) circuits in bathrooms and kitchens.

• Listed below are some tips to reduce the humidity in your home which can cause excess condensation and frost build-up on your windows.

1. Open all drapes, shades, shutters, etc. in the morning to allow a free flow of air across the window surfaces.

2. Put the furnace fan in the constant “ON” position – this circulates air in the home.

3. Run the bathroom and other exhaust fans longer than normal.

4. Crack a window occasionally for a source of dry, fresh air.

5. Building a fire in a wood burning fireplace will reduce humidity.

6. Turn off any humidifier. If there is frost on your windows, there is already excess humidity.

7. Do Not vent your dryer INTO your home.

8. In areas that are unfinished, it is very important that the windows and doors be stained, sealed, and varnished as soon as possible. This will protect windows from any possible water damage that may result from frost or condensation.

• Inspect adjustable threshold closers on exterior doors for proper closing adjustment.

• Inspect and clean wood burning fireplace and chimney. Close fireplace damper when not in use.

• Recharge fire extinguishers.

• Re-adjust dampers and registers to re-zone home for winter heating.

• Inspect weather-stripping around doors and windows and replace as needed.

• Decorate safely for the holiday season. Do not overload circuits or use worn or repaired extension cords.

• You should be prepared to cope with frozen pipes if severe weather conditions occur. Do not lower heat below 60 degrees. In extremely cold periods, or if you will be away for an extended period, leave cabinet doors open under sinks to allow warm air to circulate. If power is interrupted, turn faucets on and allow water to run very slowly to prevent freezing. If frozen pipes are discovered, use a hair dryer to thaw them. DO NOT use a torch or hot water. If new construction, call your builder to report the problem.

Exterior

• Clean out gutters and inspect downspouts.

• After heavy snowfalls, check gutters and roof valleys for excessive build-up of snow or ice that may cause damage.

•  Test exterior and garage G.F.I. (Ground Fault Interrupter) circuits.

• Homeowners are responsible for draining pipelines for exterior faucets. Be sure to shut off all exterior faucets prior to freezing temperatures. To do this, there is a separate shut-off valve on the inside of the house for each faucet. Turn this valve off and go outside and open the exterior faucet. Where the hose connects to the exterior faucet, there is a plastic device inside that needs to be turned to the left and gently pulled so water will drain. Go back inside and open the air release/drain valve on the side or bottom of the inside valve to drain it. Leave this faucet open until spring. Failure to do this may cause your pipes to burst and this is NOT covered under your warranty. If you have an in-ground sprinkler system, you must have the lines blown out and drain the anti-siphon back flow preventer.

• Remove ice and snow from exterior concrete as soon as possible. Use sand or other NON-SALT material on ice patches. Salt will “eat away” at concrete.

• Shut off air condition disconnect located on the exterior of your home by the air conditioner unit or turn off the air conditioner breaker in the breaker box. This will prevent the air conditioner unit from being turned on accidentally, which could result in damage to the air conditioner unit when frozen. Also, do not cover air conditioner unit. Air should be allowed to move freely through the unit. If anything a piece of wood can be set on top to prevent any icicles from falling into the unit and damaging the metal.