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Winter Home Maintenance Checklist – 8 Things to Do Before WinterAutumn is here and winter is just around the corner. That means it is time to prep your house and household. The season brings a range of unpleasant weather extremes. You may experience wind chill, freezing temperatures, heavy snow, and ice accumulation. Here is a helpful home maintenance checklist to prepare for the coming cold weather.➾➾➾ Check My Source: List of Top Remodeling Tools to Buy - Best Product Reviews Inspect and service your Chimney and fireplaceIf you have not examined and cleaned your chimney over the past one year, you should hire a dependable chimney sweep to get the job done. This is not a do-it-yourself undertaking. * Rid your chimney of any nests from squirrels, birds, or other wildlife. * Check chimney draft: Check to see that your chimney draws smoke efficiently. To test this, take some newspaper sheets and roll them up. Next light the newspaper within the fireplace ensuring the fireplace damper is open. If the smoke from the burning newspaper does not ascend the chimney, it is an indication your chimney is obstructed and requires professional cleaning. * Check the functioning of the flue damper: Open the damper fully. It should open fully and snugly fit against the throat. Check to see there are no cracks on the metal component or rusted through sections. If there is a need to replace the damper, you may need to hire a professional because the job must be done cautiously.* Examine the firebox for damage. The firebox is the section of your fireplace where combustion takes place. It is composed of mortar and firebricks, which are engineered to withstand high temperatures. The mortar and bricks eventually fail because of the contraction and expansion of the materials according to the changes in temperature. Significant damage within the firebox can cause a severe fire hazard. Therefore, if your home has a masonry fireplace, examine the mortar and bricks for cracks. If you find any signs of damage, have a fireplace contractor or professional mason inspect it. Reverse your FansSetting your fans clockwise can help keep your house warmer during winter. When you set your fan to clockwise rotation, it will stop warm air from rising and keep it down where you need it. So how do you achieve this? Most fans come with a switch that reverses the rotation of the unit. If you cannot find the switch on the exterior of the fan, it is probably inside the unit. ✪✪✪ You Might Also Enjoy: Helpful Product Reviews and Comparison Check and change batteries in smoke & Carbon monoxide detectors. During winter, your house is usually closed to the exterior air. This decrease in ventilation can result in dangerous carbon monoxide buildup within your house. There is also the risk of fire. To reduce the chances of these hazards occurring, ensure you have working carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in every room including the kitchen. Check detectors monthly during winter and replace batteries when necessary. Insulate your water heatersDuring winter, the hot water within a heater tank can cool rapidly. Your boiler will work more frequently to heat the water again. To decrease electricity consumption, get an insulation blanket, and wrap it all-around your water heater. You should also service your water heaters to ensure they are in tiptop shape. To prevent sediment from accumulating within your water heaters, drain them once a year. Moreover, to keep energy bills down you could set your water heater to run only during peak usage periods instead of the whole day. Check for concrete cracks and seal appropriatelyTake a tour around your home and look for concrete cracks. Seal any cracks and openings properly as this will help protect against heat loss and moisture damage during winter. Take special care in those areas where wires and pipes enter your house. Protect Outdoor items like hoses, grills, and patio furnitureThe best way to protect these items is by storing them inside within a basement, shed, or garage. If you do not have sufficient storage space, cover or wrap them securely. Turn off External Faucets and disconnect hosesUndrained water within pipes can freeze. When the ice expands, the pipes might end up bursting. First, disconnect all garden hoses ensuring that the remaining water within faucets is drained. If your faucets are frost-proof, switch off the valve within your house. ➨➨➨ Selected For You: Top Product Evaluated LaserLevelHub.net Be prepared this winterStart now to work on this winter home maintenance checklist. A little preparation can help you avoid frustration and costly damage during the cold winter months. Keep your home and household safe and warm this winter.