With winter fast approaching, fall is a good time to start getting your home ready for the cooler season. Start by doing routine maintenance checks such as testing your furnace or heater, replacing the air filter, and reversing your ceilings fans so the air circulates downwards to save on heating costs.
Call a professional to assess your furnace and clean your vents, as well as filling your heating system with either propane or oil, depending on what it runs on. Give your heating system a test run afterwards to make sure it is running at optimal performance.
Check your insulation to check for any cold air that might blow in. Take a look at the windows; if there are any leaks, caulk the sides or apply weather stripping. Feel around the electrical outlets in your home and add insulation if you feel any cold air.
Prevent freezing or damaged pipes by draining all your exterior faucets and disconnecting the garden hoses from the spouts. Keep your hose in a dry area such as a garage or shed. Cover any exposed piping uninsulated parts of your home with pre-slit foam.
Clean out your gutters to prevent mold and mildew which could weaken your home’s structure. You can also install leaf guards to prevent debris from falling into your gutters. Stay prepared for the winter season by buying a snow shovel and keeping extra food and water stored just in case.
Hire a contractor to look for a damaged roof or loose gutters and have it repaired as soon as possible. Make sure that chimneys and wood stoves are cleaned and are free of any nests, animals, or other debris. Test the flue for a tight seal when closed as well.
Seal any places near your foundation where small animals could crawl under and clean out the debris. Cover patio furniture and paint your deck with a coat of sealant to protect it from the cold or snow.
Stay warm!
Have questions? Give us a call!
AZ Insurance Team
480-535-5709
*All policies are a little different and this may not be applicable to your insurance policy, talk to your agent to see what your policy covers.*
Commentaires