Weatherproof your home for the winter – News from southeastern Connecticut – theday.com

It's time to prepare your home against winter's harsh weather. Take a tip from the Eastern Connecticut Association of REALTORS - a few simple, precautionary steps can save money and add to the value of your home. Keep in mind the benefits of making the improvements and the risks involved in leaving some jobs unfinished.

Heating systems

Heating systems vary, but in general, industry standards advise a professional check-up every year for oil-powered units and every three years for those powered by gas. However, do-it-yourself maintenance is also advisable. With the furnace off, you should replace air filters, and vacuum dust from the blower, fan blades grills and air intakes. Replace any cracked or frayed belts.

If your furnace supplies heat using hot water in pipes or radiators, you may need to lubricate the motor that pushes water through the system. Remember: the efficiency of hot-water systems can be impaired if air gets caught within the systems, because air takes the place of hot water. Make sure the valve that lets air escape is working properly.

Chimney flues

Checking your chimney is another important weatherproofing task. If you are uncertain about the condition of a furnace or chimney flue, it's best to hire a chimney sweep to clear out creosote: the flammable oily residue that accumulates when wood is burned. If left uncleaned, creosote could be re-ignited, causing a chimney fire.

If you decide to clean out the furnace flue yourself, take apart exposed pipe sections and brush them outdoors. To clean a chimney flue, pull a sand-filled canvas bag back and forth through the opening, working from the roof. Make certain the flue is closed to keep soot from filtering inside the house.

Smoke detectors

Although battery-powered smoke detectors should be tested year round, it is crucial to test them in the winter, because sources of fire, such as fireplaces, wood stoves and portable heaters are used. Testing battery-powered units is simple make sure the batteries work. A unit connected to the electrical system should also be tested, but probably does not need any maintenance except, perhaps, a light dusting.

Air or water leaks

Look for air cracks around windows, doors, pipes, ducts and other openings. It is important to seal these leaks with flexible caulk. Seams where siding meets windows and doors should also be caulked. On brick siding, fill in eroded joints with mortar, to keep out air, water and snow.

Insulation

Check the attic to see if insulation needs to be added or replaced. This is the most significant area of heat loss in many homes, so it is also important to see that it has proper ventilation. Inadequate ventilation could lead to premature deterioration of the insulation materials. It may be necessary to check insulation in exterior walls, crawl spaces and along foundation walls, as well.

Gutter cleaning

Clean the leaves from all gutters. Then, make sure the drainage system works by running water through them.

Avoiding frozen pipes

Finally, here's 5 tips for avoiding frozen pipes this winter!

Turnon your faucetsif the temperatures have dropped into freezing and intend to stay there. Keep water moving at 5 drips per minute through your system to slow down the freezing process.

Open cabinet doors covering plumbing in the kitchen and bathroom for better circulation, and to help prevent the exposed piping from freezing. This can keep water moving and limit the dangerous effects of freezing weather.

If your pipes are already freezing, wrap them with warm towels and then pour boiling water on top, or use already-wet towels (use gloves for this) to help loosen the ice inside and get your system running again.

Pull out your hair dryer when your pipes are freezing and try blowing hot air directly on the pipes. Do NOT use a blow torch or anything that produces direct flames, which can damage your pipes and turn a frozen pipe into an even worse disaster.

Shut off the water if pipes are frozen, and close off any external water sources like garden hose hookups. This will prevent more water from filling the system, which will add more ice to the pile and eventually burst your pipes the worst-case scenario. This also will help when the water thaws; the last thing you want after finally fixing your frozen pipes is for water to flood the systemand thus, your home.

Preparing your home for winter is a smart way to cut energy costs and make sure your home is safe. It's a job that is well worth the time and effort.

Visit our web site at http://www.easternctrealtors.com.

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Weatherproof your home for the winter - News from southeastern Connecticut - theday.com