WISCONSIN — The latest round of snow and cold weather is just the tip of the iceberg. Winter is just two weeks away, and before it gets here, there’s a list of items homeowners should take care of before the cold really sets in.
The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau gave some tips on what to check for to properly prepare the house to take on harsh, wintry conditions.
- Clean out the gutters — Leaf build up can cause your gutters to not drain properly. That can lead to water spilling all over the gutters, causing damage to the foundation, basement and fascia boards.
- Inspect the roof — If you have damaged shingles, water and ice can get in during the winter, causing interior damage.
- Test smoke and carbon dioxide detectors — This is an extra step to ensure safety in the home if there is any fire or carbon dioxide leaks.
- Check windows and doors for air leakage — If your home feels a bit colder than normal even with the heat turned way up, check the windows and doors. Caulking and weather stripping can help prevent the cold air from coming in, as well as insects. Pipes and wires that enter your home can also be problematic for air leakage, so check those, too.
- Clean out the garage — You’ll want important items like shovels, salt and more easily accessible, so maybe do some organizing. But also, find any holes and cracks and fill them to prevent bugs and rodents trying to escape the cold.
- Look at your driveway — The freezing and thawing of the ground can cause damage, such as large cracks. Try to fill and sealcoat them before we get into the deep winter.
- Schedule HVAC maintenance — The U.S. Department of Energy states preventive maintenance can help save you up to 25% in energy costs. Check your HVAC system to ensure it is running accordingly.
- Time to cover up the spigots — Covering up spigots prevents exterior pipes from freezing. Empty all hoses of water and move them indoors as well. You can likely find spigot covers at your local hardware story.
- Chimney sweep — More than likely, many residents will use their chimneys. To help reduce the risk of a fire, clean up the soot to prevent possible blockages.
- Switch the direction of your fan blades — Turn the blades on your ceiling fans clockwise to move the warm air down.
