The geese are practicing their flying formation and the crisp bite of fall is in the air; here are some recommendations to prepare your home for the changing season.1) Tune up your furnace to ensure that it is running efficiently; check ducts for any disconnects or crimping and consider investing in a programmable thermostat for efficiency.
2) Evaluate the physical condition of your home. Replace worn roof shingles and check flashings. Clean out gutters; run water through them to ensure that they are not clogged. Determine if adding insulation to your attic and/or crawl space would be beneficial. Wrap any unprotected pipes. Caulk all siding cracks and fill gaps. Replace old weather stripping.
3) Pay attention to your foundation; rake away all debris and seal up entry points. Secure crawlspace entrances to avoid unwanted residents.
4) Remember your chimney; inspect it inside and out. Replace the missing or damaged cap which keeps out foreign objects and prevents rain from mixing with the ash, causing damage to the interior of the fireplace.
5) Prepare an emergency kit; buy indoor candles and matches and place utility phone numbers in an accessible location. Store bottled water and some non perishable food-including pet food for your four legged family member. Practice your evacuation plan.
6) Locate your fire extinguishers and replace them if they don't work. Lastly, test your house alarms. Fall is a great time to routinely change all smoke detector batteries.
No comments:
Post a Comment