Get Your Home Ready for Winter
No one wants to spend winter worrying about their home, but a few simple precautions will give you peace of mind that your house is ready for the cold weather. Here are some basic winter safety tips for your home.
Check Your Smoke Detectors for Winter Safety
Smoke detectors are essential for keeping you and your family safe by alerting you to fires. They should be checked regularly to make sure they are in good working order.
Test the units to verify that the alarm sounds. If there’s no alert, replace the battery immediately. Smoke detectors should be installed on every level of your home, inside and outside of each bedroom, and in the kitchen and laundry room.
Cleaning Your Chimney is Good Winter Safety
A dirty chimney restricts airflow and increases the risk of a chimney fire. Removing debris and creosote buildup will help prevent these issues. Before building your first fire, have your chimney cleaned and inspected annually by a professional service.
Keep Your Roof In Good Repair
Neglecting small issues with your roof will lead to significant problems at a later date. Doing minor repairs will save money and keep your home safe from leaks and other weather-related damage.
Check Your Gutters And Downspouts
Prepare for winter by tending to your gutters and downspouts. If water isn’t draining correctly away from your home, check for debris, broken downspouts, and damaged gutters. Use a garden hose with a spray nozzle to check if water drains properly from your gutter systems.
Clogged gutters can lead to serious problems, including foundation issues, roof damage, and mold growth in the attic. Make cleaning them a regular part of your winter safety home maintenance checklist.
Winter Safety Includes Insulating Your Water Pipes
One of the most common causes of frozen pipes is the lack of insulation. Prevent this by wrapping your water pipes in insulation sleeves and adding extra insulation to your crawl space and attic. Hire a professional contractor to help with installing additional insulation in the hard-to-reach areas of your home.
Check Your Radiators
Make sure your radiators are working correctly to keep your home comfortable during the winter. You should be able to comfortably place your hand between the radiator and the wall. If it feels cool, adjust the knobs until you feel the heat coming from the unit.
If this doesn’t work, you may need to bleed air from the system so that the radiator can reach an optimal temperature. If you’re uncomfortable performing this task yourself, contact a professional plumber for assistance.
Make Fireplace and Chimney Inspections Part of Your Winter Safety Routine
Chimneys develop cracks and other issues during the fall and winter months when they are exposed to colder temperatures and lower humidity levels. Having your chimney inspected by a professional each fall will help you catch and repair any potential problems before building your first fire of the season.
Now that you know these important winter safety tips, it’s time to get to work so that your family stays safe and warm this season!
RK Home Inspection serves Central Minnesota with home inspection services. Contact us to schedule an appointment.