We all think of spring cleaning but how about fall? Do you prepare your home for winter just like you prepare it for summer? It’s always good to spend some extra time before the major season changes to do some maintenance and make sure everything is working properly for the upcoming season.
When you are heading into the cold winter months you want to be sure that you have the following preparations ready:
- Be sure your heating system is cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified technician. You don’t want that to not work on a brutally cold day or night!
- Change the filter in your furnace if you need to.
- Make sure that water pipes are well insulated in areas that may be exposed to freezing temperatures.
- Be sure your gutters are clear of debris, secured to the house so they can withstand any strong winds, and are not damaged in any way that will hinder how they work.
- Check the caulking around doors and windows and repair if needed. You want to be sure that everything is sealed well so you are keeping the warmth in and the cold out.
- If you have a chimney, be sure to have it professionally cleaned and inspected by a professional and have them make any repairs necessary.
- Inspect your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure you have a smoke detector in each bedroom or sleeping area and also, a smoke detector in the hallway outside each sleeping area. You should also make sure you have at least one smoke detector and one carbon monoxide detector on each floor of your home, including your basement. Make note of when the batteries were last changed and take care of that every 6 months so you are always sure the batteries are fresh.
By preparing in the fall for the upcoming winter months, you will protect your home and property from potentially costly damage and emergency repairs as much as possible.
If we can help you in any way here at John Scott Insurance Agency, please let us know. We are here in the good times and the not so good times.