Prepare For Winter Before It Arrives
|
Even though we are still enjoying warm weather and winter seems far away, now is a great time to begin preparing. If you do a bit at a time before winter hits the tasks are not at all overwhelming.
So often, people wait until the last minute to take care of necessary duties. Worst yet, some people wait until snow or rain is pouring down to even begin thinking of what needs to be done.
Safety should be a top priority. Assess the quality of your indoor air. You can easily create an indoor health hazard with poor quality air. If you have excessive dust or dirt, take steps to clean it up.
Make sure your smoke detectors are in good working order. They can literally save your life. If you don't have detectors throughout your home, you need to make that a top priority on your "honey do" list. Better yet, don't wait for someone else to take care of this most important task, do it yourself as soon as possible.
Have your fireplace inspected to insure it is safe to use. If your area permits you to burn during the winter, stock up on wood while the weather is pleasant.
Secure vents, fans and air conditioners. Properly cover as recommended by the manufacturer.
Remember to check both the inside and out. Make a list of any repairs as you go through the house. To help you determine where any leaks are, on the next windy day do a walk through to determine areas in need of repair.
- Fix Doors and Windows
- Replace or add weather-stripping where needed.
- Winterize basement windows.
- Replace old windows with weather efficient windows.
- Have your furnace serviced before the winter rush hits. Many companies run specials before the season.
- Check for mold and algae within your home furnace. You'd be amazed at what can grow during the summer months. Although mold burns off it is distributed throughout your home.
- Stock up on furnace filters. It is better to have some on hand so you can easily replace throughout the winter.
- Use caulking to fix any leaky areas.
Locate all you winter supplies such as walkway shovel, ice melt, gloves, hats, scarves and anything else you will need when a storm hits. If you don't have these items buy them before a winter storm hits and stores run out. Make sure your snowplow is in good working order. A preseason equipment check up is advisable.
By being prepared you will be able to share more time with your loved ones. Besides, you will probably be able to save on your energy bills as well.
Copyright: © 2004 by Darlene Dipos
Publishing Guidelines: You may publish my article in your newsletter, on your web site, or in your print publication provided you include the resource box at the end. Notification would be appreciated but is not required.
About The Author
Darlene Dipo is a member of the Distinctive Properties team, a unique personalized real estate agency serving the south end of the Salt Lake valley including Draper, Riverton and Sandy. The Distinctive Properties team offers a "boutique" experience and a personal relationship with each person they work with. Distinctive Properties offers relocation services throughout the United States. Visit www.distinctivepropertiesSLC.com for further information.
|
|
|
How To Select Scraped//distressed Hardwood Flooring
Hand-scraped and Distressed hardwood floors are becoming a popular choice in today's upscale homes and commercial buildings. These floors are a newer trend but are rooted in history. Before today's modern sanding methods, floors were hand scraped on site to make the floors flat. Today's hand scraping is done to add texture, richness and uniqueness.Distressed hardwood flooring is done by machine or by han...(related: Home Improvement)
Planning Permission Tips Uk - How To Avoid Boundary Disputes When Extending Or Redeveloping A Site
The quest for more living space these days means making more efficient use of the sites available space in which to extend or develop. This invariably means building right up to the properties boundary line in many cases.This can have major pitfalls if it is not presented or handled correctly & not just at the Planning Application stage either. You wouldn't believe the number of on-site boundary disputes that arise during construct...(related: Home Improvement)
Ceiling Fans ? That Dont Require The Ceiling
The trend in remodeling homes is to expand the outdoor backyard or patio into a lovely room where you can entertain. It just makes sense to extend your surroundings to be more useful. Some are going a...(related: Home Improvement)
Sump Pump Installation For Do-it-yourselfers
According to recent surveys, over 85% of all homes with basements will experience some form of wet basement problems in their lifetime. Installing a sump pump in the basement can be a great benefit, even if it's only to keep the water from getting deep or to act as a floor drain.What To BuySump pumps are generally sold according to the horsepower rating of the pump motor. You will see ¼ horsepower, 1/3 horsepower and ½ horsepower pumps available. Although the horsepower of the pump is a good "yardstick" to use in judging which size pump to buy, a more accurate way is to look at the GPH or, Gallons Per H...(related: Home Improvement)
You Say Jacuzzi And I Say Whirlpool
What's in a name? Whirlpool baths have been around forever, right? If it weren't for the Jacuzzi brothers in 1956, we would...(related: Home Improvement)
Acting As Your Own General Contractor When Building Your Dream Home
This article is intended for the DIY (Do It Yourself) home builder; however, it is very useful information for the new ho...(related: Home Improvement)
Buying Replacement Windows
While most buyers of double glazing are looking for replacement windows to help reduce their energy costs, or because their old windows are rattling in their...(related: Home Improvement)
Plastic Applied To The Picnic Table?
There are many styles of picnic tables on the market, but what kind of material is best for durability and safety? Powder coating has been an accepted coated finish for years and there are several reasons why. The coating look great, you can have most any color you want, they are friendly to the environment and efficient to produce. The powder is applied in liquid form so it goes on similar to painting. If you need to have flexibility and strength against impacts, this type of finish would no be th...(related: Home Improvement)
Interior Design For Children
Interior design for children is one of the most fun, delightful aspects of the business if you ask me. It is so fun because children are limitless as far as their creativity and imaginations are concerned. Whenever planning interior design for children, be sure to involve the children in the planning and-if you feel very brave, the implementation of your designs.A good beginning point or theme for interior design for children is to start with any favorite activity or toy or even character of the child's interest. Remember that many items of inter...(related: Home Improvement)
Planning Your Replacement Windows Installation
Windows are the eyes of a home. From inside, you see the outside world through them. It has been said that the e...(related: Home Improvement)
site-map - Copyright © 2006 | Contact Webmaster | All Rights Reserved. | Home Improvement