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As the colder weather starts closing in you’ll want to check that you’re ready. There are several vital tasks that you’ll need to complete to prevent any serious damage this winter. Let’s look at some of the most important activities.
Clean Your Chimney
During the winter months, many people will rely on the fireplace to keep them warm. It will be able to keep you warm for a low price.
However, before you stoke the fire, you should get the chimney inspected and cleaned. Over the winter season, the debris from burnt wood will build-up inside the tube.
This can impact the efficiency of the fireplace. It also has the potential to cause cracking in the fireplace, which can release smoke and toxic fumes into your house. By getting a professional to maintain it, you’ll be able to eliminate these risks.
Check Exterior Woods
Next, take a walk around your house and look at the exterior wooden doors. Because they are exposed to the elements, they will be at risk of rotting.
Check the paintwork. If it is starting to crack, you’ll need to peel it away. Apply caulk to the cracks. Then, you’ll need to apply another layer of paint. If you do this, you’ll be able to protect your doors from any damage.
You might also want to check the decking. Often, it will be ready to deal with winter. In some cases, though, you might need to re-seal the deck. This will close the wood off, making sure that water won’t be able to penetrate it.
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Check Your Garden
You’ll also want to make sure that your garden is ready for winter. The way you do this will often depend on the type of plants that you have.
For example, if you have young trees, you might want to place sheeting around them, to keep them warm. If you have flowers in a pot, you can move them into a greenhouse.
However, the most important step is to make sure that you trim your trees. This will ensure that the branches don’t end up falling into the gutters.
It will also ensure that they don’t get covered in ice and scrape against the house. This can damage the paintwork. Most importantly, remove any dead trees. These might fall over during the winter. As a result, they can represent a significant safety risk.
Look for Holes in The Attic
It’s also a good idea to scan for holes in the attic. During the winter months, holes can provide an opportunity for animals to enter the home.
This has the potential to cause a lot of damage. It can also provide an opportunity for the heat to leave your home, causing you to pay higher electricity bills.
Clear The Gutters
The next thing that you’ll need to do is clear out the gutters. If they are clogged with sticks and leaves, it will be hard for the water to filter through.
This can pose the risk that they will get filled with water, which turns to ice. If this happens, the weight of the ice can cause the gutter to fall from the house. This can do a lot of damage.
Check The Heating System
During the winter, you’ll often find yourself relying on an air conditioning system to keep your house warm. Because of this, it’s a good idea to check this system before the winter begins.
This will ensure that it’s all working properly. It will also provide a chance to fix any issues that the heater might have developed. It’s best to call in a professional company, to inspect this for you. They’ll be able to perform any of the required maintenance activities.
Drain Your Lawn Irrigation System
When planning for the winter, you’ll want to make sure that you get someone to drain your irrigation system. If you don’t, there’s a chance that the water will freeze in the lines.
This could lead to big problems in the future. For example, it could cause leaks which will be difficult to fix. The best way to make sure that all the water has been removed is to call in a professional.
Check Your Smoke Detectors
During the winter months, the risk of a fire in the property increases significantly. This is linked to the number of people using small heaters and operating fireplaces.
To make sure that you stay safe, you’ll need to make sure that you check the smoke detector. Make sure that there are still batteries inside the device. You’ll also want to test that it’s still working properly. You should be doing this every month, year-round.
Put a Tarp Over Outdoor Furniture
Next, you’ll need to make sure that you’re taking care of the outdoor furniture. If you don’t do this, there’s a chance that the snow will cause the metal to start rusting. In some cases, the furniture might come with a cover that you can use. If not, place it under a thick tarp.
Get Ready for Snow
Finally, you’ll need to make sure that you’re ready for the snow that comes with winter. It can often pile up around important areas, like the driveway and paths.
To deal with this, you’ll need to get a snowblower. This is the easiest way to remove the snow. Before winter, you’ll want to prepare this piece of equipment.
If you don’t have one, now’s the perfect time to make the purchase. You’ll be thankful that you did when the snow begins to fall.
Conclusion
The winter can be a challenge for your home. The cold temperatures, combined with snow, have the potential to cause a lot of problems. But, if you can move through this checklist, you’ll be ready for the coming season. Hopefully, you’ll find these tips helpful.
If you want more information about choosing the right snowblower, to get you through the winter months, check out: https://www.backyardstyle.com/best-electric-snow-blower/. So, now you’ll be able to get prepared for the winter.
