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Prepare for Winter
Before cold air and wintry weather take hold, it's time to get your house ready. With a little cleaning, some routine maintenance and a few do-it-yourself inspections, you can winterize your home and take care of any little issues before they become big problems. And that can mean the difference between keeping cozy and being left in the cold.
Visit your local True Value hardware store for all the tools, products and expert advice you need to prepare for winter, then follow the steps below.
Step 1. Check Your Furnace and Ducts
Be sure you change your furnace filters regularly - once every month. If you use high-efficiency pleated air filters, you should change them every three months. High-efficiency filters allow your furnace to pump cleaner air into your home, and the pleated design increases the filter's surface area, capturing more lint, dust, pollen, mold and mildew.
You should also have your furnace inspected every year at the beginning of winter. Inspections not only uncover potential problems that might lead to costly repairs later on, but they also discover safety issues including carbon monoxide leaks and potential fire hazards.
Have your ducts cleaned thoroughly with a high-powered vacuum, preferably one with a HEPA filter to prevent large amounts of dust from scattering all over your household. If your home has a forced-air furnace, have the ducts vacuumed when the furnace is inspected. For a furnace with a built-in humidifier, clean the humidifier with a descaler to make sure it's working properly.
Helpful Tip:
- Purchasing a programmable thermostat will help you save energy during the winter.
Patching leaks in your ductwork also increases your heating system's efficiency. Before sealing joints, wipe dust, oily film and grease from the ducts with a clean cloth. Then apply foam sealant with a natural-bristle paint brush at least 1” on each side of the joint. Wrap ducts with pipe insulation.
Step 2. Inspect Water Heater
Before winter gets underway, you should inspect your water heater. Check the condition of the tank's exterior. Are there any dents, damage, rust or leaks? Make sure there is a cold water turn-off valve. Check the pressure release valve to see where the line from it goes, but be sure you don't touch the valve! Does the line go to a sump pump or does it go outside? If it goes outside, make sure the water isn't being released anywhere near windows, doors, patios, etc.
Read the manufacturer's sticker on the heater to see if it's a gas or electric water heater. The sticker will also have other important information on it, such as when it was manufactured, its serial number and water capacity.
If you have a gas water heater, remove the cover at the base and check the pilot light. The flame should be blue with very little orange or yellow. If you see a lot of yellow or orange flame, the burner could be in trouble. If you don't see a flame at all, use the temperature dial to adjust the heat until you see the flame. Inspect the exhaust flue and exhaust pipe for any loose connections, rust or other problems.
If you have an electric hot water heater, make sure it's wired with at least a 30-amp circuit. All wiring should be enclosed in a conduit. Check it for any signs of external damage, dents and leaks.
Helpful Tip:
- Purchasing a water heater blanket will help you save energy.
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Step 3. Check Window Weather Stripping
Inspect door and window frames to make sure your weather stripping is holding up. Check for any gaps or holes that may need sealing. If you have to replace your weather stripping, remove old weather stripping and any adhesive and clean the surface with a mild detergent and water.
To apply new weather stripping, use a utility knife to cut the foam weather stripping to the correct length. Peel off the backing and press against the doorstop just behind the latch area.
Step 4. Check Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors
It's recommended you check your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors once a month. If you haven't checked yours in a while, it's important to do it now before you start spending all your time indoors.
Check your smoke detectors by pressing the red testing button. Make sure the detector is sound loud enough to wake you from your sleep. To be safe, replace the batteries in all of your detectors when you change your clocks at the start and end of daylight saving time. If the detector begins to chirp occasionally, the battery is dying and needs to be replaced. Replace all detectors after 10 years.
Don't forget about your carbon monoxide detectors. They're just as important as smoke detectors and fire alarms, especially if you have gas heat or regularly use a fireplace in winter. Make sure the detector's batteries are fresh and all signals and alarms work properly. Install carbon monoxide detectors near bedrooms or hallways. A carbon monoxide detector - not a combination smoke detector unit - can be installed lower to the floor than a smoke detector because carbon monoxide is heavier than air. Many are plug-in units that can be plugged into any wall socket.
Helpful Tip:
- The easiest way to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning is to keep all your appliances and utilities maintained and in working order. Be sure to have your furnace chimney and fireplace chimney cleaned regularly.
Step 5. Check Pipe Insulation
Check your water pipe insulation. Properly insulating your water pipes will save you energy, decrease your heating bills and prevent pipes from freezing during the winter.
Pipes that run through unconditioned areas of your house are more prone to freezing, be sure pipes that pass through crawl spaces, garages and attics are insulated. Check the pipe leading directly from the hot water heater. Pay attention to hot water lines - they may freeze slower than cold water lines, but hot water pipes are more likely to burst.
There are many different kinds of pipe insulation kits available. Make sure the one you choose has adhesive tape or contact cement to seal the insulation around the pipe. The most popular pipe insulation is tubular foam slit lengthwise to slip over existing pipes. Open the pipe insulation along the slit, press it onto the pipe and seal it with adhesive tape or contact cement. This will also prevent summertime condensation on your pipes when the weather warms up outside.
Step 6. Check Chimney and Fireplace
Examine your chimney each year to make sure it's clean and working properly. Make sure it's also clear of any nests from birds, squirrels or other animals. Check to see that the flue opens and closes fully and that it can be locked in the open or closed position. You should also check the chimney draft by lighting a fire to make sure the chimney draws smoke properly. If you have an obstruction, clean your chimney with special rods and brushes designed for this purpose or hire a professional.
If your fireplace is leaking air, cut a piece of fiberglass insulation and place it behind the fireplace doors. This will block cold air from coming down the chimney. However, you'll have to remove it before building a fire. Also be sure to check the fire brick in the fireplace for any open mortar joints. Have open joints repaired immediately; this is how fire can spread into the wall.
Nice work. With a little time and effort, you've winterized your home to it keep warm and safe during the months ahead. For all your projects this winter and all year round, head to your local True Value hardware store for the all tools, products and expert advice you need to start right.
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