Below are ten tips to help you prepare your home for winter:
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1) Furnace Inspection
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- Call an HVAC professional to inspect your furnace and clean ducts.
- Stock up on furnace filters and change them monthly.
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2) Get the Fireplace Ready
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- If the chimney hasn’t been cleaned for a while, call a chimney sweep to clean & inspect the chimney.
- Buy firewood or chop wood. Store it in a dry place away from the exterior of your home.
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3) Check the Exterior, Doors and Windows
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- Inspect exterior for cracks and exposed entry points around pipes; seal them.
- Use weatherstripping around doors to prevent cold air from entering the home and caulk around windows.
- Replace cracked glass in windows and, if you end up replacing the entire window, prime and paint exposed wood.
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4) Inspect Roof, Gutters & Downspouts
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- Check flashing to ensure water cannot enter the home.
- Replace worn roof shingles or tiles.
- Consider installing leaf guards on the gutters or extensions on the downspouts to direct water away from the home.
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5) Service Weather-Specific Equipment
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- Drain gas from lawnmowers.
- Replace worn rakes and snow shovels.
- Buy bags of ice-melt / sand.
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6) Check Foundations
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- Rake away debris and edible vegetation from the foundation.
- Seal up entry points to keep small animals from crawling under the house.
- Seal foundation cracks. Mice can slip through space as thin as a dime.
- Secure crawlspace entrances.
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7) Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
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- Buy extra smoke detector batteries and change them when daylight savings ends.
- Install a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace and / or water heater.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they work.
- Buy a fire extinguisher or replace an extinguisher older than 10 years.
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8) Prevent Plumbing Freezes
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- Locate your water main in the event you need to shut it off in an emergency.
- Drain garden hoses.
- Insulate exposed plumbing pipes.
- If you go on vacation, leave the heat on, set to at least 55 degrees.
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9) Prepare Landscaping & Outdoor Surfaces
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- Trim trees if branches hang too close to the house or electrical wires.
- Plant spring flower bulbs and lift bulbs that cannot winter over such as dahlias in areas where the ground freezes.
- Move sensitive potted plants indoors or to a sheltered area.
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10) Prepare an Emergency Kit
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- Buy a battery back-up to protect your computer and sensitive electronic equipment.
- Store extra bottled water and non-perishable food supplies (including pet food, if you have a pet), blankets and a first-aid kit in a dry and easy-to-access location.
- Prepare an evacuation plan in the event of an emergency
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