Enjoy the winter season even more by taking these few steps to protect your home.
- Allow winter’s rain and melting snow to drain properly by removing fall leaves and other debris from your gutters.
- Consider having your furnace professionally cleaned and tuned annually. Replace those furnace filters monthly if needed.
- Repair any obvious leaks in the most common drafty areas: recessed lighting, window and door frames, and electrical outlets.
- Feeling Drafty? Check the attic to make sure you see a minimum of 12 inches of insulation.
- Check the crawlspace for flooding after the first long rainfall.
- Check your heating ducts and clean out any abundant dust, animal hair and other debris that can gather and cause respiratory issues.
- Reverse your ceiling fans to force warm air downward, keeping your home more comfortable. Pro tip: As you look up, blades should be turning clockwise during winter months.
- Make sure you have at least one fire extinguisher on each floor and in the garage.
- If you haven’t checked the operation of your home’s smoke detectors…. now is a great time to do so. Check the batteries, too!
- Invest in a carbon-monoxide detector; every home should have at least one. They also make great holiday gifts.
