When the leaves turn to brown, you know that it is time for you to get ready for the coming winter. Many people make the mistake of making no preparations for the drop in temperature. The result is an uncomfortable winter as the cold creeps in. If you want to enjoy a comfortable winter, here are some tips on how you can prepare your house for the winter weather.
Check Out Your Furnace
The first thing that you should do is to check out your furnace. It is the heart of your heating system, and if it breaks down or malfunctions, you will have a problem. The truth is, you should be checking the heater every three months. Having a technician come in and check it out is actually cheap. Call one in, and they will go over your furnace to see if there is anything wrong with it.
If there is something wrong, furnace repair service in Salt Lake City and nearby areas should be easy enough to find. The problems can range from broken pilot lights to carbon monoxide leaks.
Exterior Wood Needs Protecting
Your home’s exterior will take the brunt of the winter weather. The cement should be fine, but you should worry about the wooden parts. This can range from the frames around your windows to your wooden patio. The patio materials should be fine since they have coating and treatments that make them tougher. However, the frames can be a problem. The cold brings moisture, and that can mean rot for them.
This is why you will want to paint and caulk over these frames. This gives them a protective coating against the elements. Try to do this every year so that the protection stays at a good level.
Clean Your Gutters
Another problem that comes up with the exterior is your gutters. Though they are useful for draining away water, the cold weather can freeze the water inside them. This is usually the result of dirty gutters. People call them ice dams, and they are a big problem. All that weight near your roof can cause leaks. Roof damage is expensive enough, but the leaks allow the cold to come into your home.
Eliminate Drafts
Try to detect drafts before winter comes. These are signs that there is a hole in your insulation. Drafts are bad news because they make heating up your home much more difficult. With cold air coming in, your furnace will be working overtime. Eliminate the drafts so that your home will stay comfortably warm through the winter.
Check Your Fireplace and Chimney
If you have a chimney in your home, you might end up using it for a warm night in front of a fire. Before you use them, though, have everything checked and cleaned. This helps avoid chimney fires and carbon monoxide leaks.
A cold house in the winter is not something you want to experience. Even if you bundle up in blankets and sweaters, the cold can seep in. The advice above can ensure that you will be warm and comfortable no matter how cold it is outside. Start your preparations early so that you can be fully ready for the change in seasons.
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