Use this fall maintenance checklist to prepare your home for winter and ensure your home is ready for cold weather.
Gutters
You should be cleaning your gutters out at least twice a year. This fact might come as a shock to most Americans who ignore the gutters until something goes wrong. These channels can build up with a massive amount of dirt and soil, so much so that plants will start to grow in them.
These blockages can cause problems in the warm seasons as the excess water seeps into the house walls instead of flowing down the drain. However, the repercussions are even worse in the winter as built-up water can form ice dams in the gutters. This ice can permanently damage your gutters or your home, so make sure to clean your gutters before winter sets in.
Roof
The ideal roofing temperature is between 70 and 80 degrees, and many roofing companies won’t work below 40 degrees. So before it gets cold, check your roof for any missing shingles or damage. If the roof looks good, it’s ready for the season, but if you see any potential signs of wear, know that the problems will only increase with pounds of snow weighing the roof down.
Gas-Powered Lawn Tools
Since you won’t be using your lawnmower or other landscaping tools in the winter, prepare the engines for a dormant period. Gas can expire, and if it sits for a few months, it starts to deteriorate, damaging your machines’ internal parts. That’s why you’ll need a fuel stabilizer. Add the stabilizer to both the engine and the spare fuel tank. Then, run the engine for a few minutes to distribute the fuel stabilizer throughout the machine.
Other homeowners will opt to run their mowers until the engine is empty before letting it sit for the winter. Draining is a viable option, but afterward, you should remove the spark plug and pour a small amount of oil into the hole. Then, pull the start cord to spread the oil; this process will lubricate the pistons so that they’re ready for next year.
Drafts
There is nothing worse than paying exuberant utility bills in the winter because you’re losing half your hot air to the outside. Before it gets cold, check all your windows and doors to see that your seals are still working effectively. You shouldn’t feel a draft when they are closed. If you do, there’s too big of an air gap, and you’ll need to winterize or replace your windows.
You can check that your doors seal is still working by placing a piece of paper between the door and frame. If the paper falls, that means your door needs a new seal.
With this fall maintenance checklist to prepare your home for winter, you can get your house ready for the harsh conditions. If you need help with winterization, look to Cook Inlet Property Management to find a trusted property management company with 35 years of experience in the Anchorage area.
