The signs of the change in the seasons is all around us. The humming birds have headed to a warmer climate, the geese are starting to head south, and on the first Sunday in November, we move our clocks back an hour. The early darkness drives home the point that winter is just around the corner.
While we know we need to deal with leaves, gutters, and putting our lawn furniture away for the winter, many of us tend to put off some annual homeowner maintenance tasks. Here’s some friendly reminders:
- Have your furnace and chimney cleaned annually, and if it hasn’t been done in a while, have your air ducts vacuumed out.
- If you have a wood burning fireplace or wood stove, have that inspected and cleaned.
“According to the National Fire Protection Association, home heating fires are the second leading cause of home fire deaths after cooking fires. “
- Consider reversing your ceiling fan. This will create an updraft forcing warmer air down into the room, providing energy savings.
- Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Make sure you have a fire extinguisher.
- Insulate pipes that are susceptible to freezing.
“Even a crack just a few millimeters in size can cause a water leak of 250 gallons of water per day.”
- Drain the pipes that lead to outside faucets.
- Make sure everyone in your family knows how and where to shut off the water supply.
“Water damage insurance claims are the most frequently reported kind of property claim.”
- Never set your heat lower than 55 degrees.
- If you plan to be away, have someone check your house daily to make sure the furnace is still working.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the fall and winter seasons.
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