Prepare Your Home for Winter

by | Oct 25, 2019 | Blog

Pro Tips

When winter is coming we might be too busy to set up those details that will make the difference. Fall is a really good time to start thinking about your home maintenance as well as getting it ready for the colder weather. Reno Rocket team of experts brings you a short and important list of to-do’s that you must apply in order to prepare your home for winter.
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Windows & Doors.

Your windows and doors must be air and water tight. Do so by replacing damaged caulking or weather-strips. In order to block air and water from coming in your can add an insulation film on your windows.

We invite you to take the time to go around your home and make sure that none of the caulk is cracking and your paint is not chipping and flaking away because once the wood is rotted and requires replacement, then you’re probably going to need to hire a good trim carpenter to tackle the job.

All of the wood trim on the exterior of your home needs to be protected since is just a one-inch-thick pine board that deteriorates very quickly if not protected.

The best thing to do is to make sure it doesn’t rot in the first place, and that means to scrape away the bad paint or caulk and apply fresh.

Electrical.

Make sure to clean your electric baseboards to avoid unpleasant odors when turning on your heaters since you have not used them in months and it can be potentially toxic to you and your family.

You can take a can of spray foam insulation and fill in around those drafty outlets and light switches.

If you haven’t done it yet, fall is a good time to have a professional energy audit to check your home and is a good investment.

Basement.

Taking on some basic home maintenance or repairs before the cold weather sets in can negate the need for more serious remedial work when temperatures thaw.

Check your basement conditions to ensure there are no obvious cracks or other damages that can cause water infiltration and that soffits are clear from obstruction.

It is highly important that you contact a professional if you find out a crack because it will develop mold that will be highly toxic for you and your family and make sure your home is ready for winter.

HVAC.

Ensure your HVAC is working properly by replacing or cleaning the air filters, at the very least. It is recommended to do so every 3 months to ensure the right temperature that your family needs in all seasons of the year.

Better yet, it is recommended having the system inspected by a reputable HVAC contractor and to look into an annual maintenance agreement. It’s much better to find an HVAC problem in the moderate temperatures of the fall than it is to find your furnace doesn’t work on a frigid winter day.

With proper maintenance a heating and air systems can last 12 to 15 years but if not, your system could be dead by 10 years easily.

Fireplace.

Have your fireplace cleaned and inspected before you start building those cozy fires to keep your family warm in the upcoming winter.

If you have a gas-powered fireplace, light your pilot light, or, if you have a wood-burning fireplace, get your chimney swept or hire good chimney sweep company will make sure the fireplace is safe to use, and it can also identify maintenance problems.

This is also the time to order that load of firewood. Take the time to stack and cover that wood in a good location in the yard. Make sure that old firewood isn’t rotten and move it away from your home.

This is a good time to prepare your home for winter.

If not now, when?