| Too many people buy a home not knowing the | | | | blown out in the fall. It's a good idea to have a |
| proper steps to maintain it. So let me offer a few | | | | professional do this. Also turn off all water valves |
| steps for general winterizing maintenance. For | | | | on the outside of the house. |
| starters a warm house is very important so the | | | | Another good thing to do, but not as critical, is to |
| furnace should be maintained on a regular basis. | | | | clean the windows before it gets too cold outside |
| Typically an inspection should be performed at | | | | to clean them. Having nice clean windows to look |
| least once every two years for proper furnace | | | | at during the winter season can add a very |
| efficiency. Also make sure the furnace filter is | | | | refreshing feeling to your house. Unlike with dirty |
| being replaced as required. The humidifier filter on | | | | windows that can feel frustrating especially if you |
| the furnace should be replaced as required as well. | | | | can't clean them until spring. When perennials start |
| Another good idea during the fall is to clean your | | | | dying in the fall it's a good idea to cut them off at |
| dryer vent. A clogged dryer vent can be a very | | | | the base. Just make sure you do not pull them |
| big fire hazard. Annual cleaning of the dryer vent, | | | | out of the ground because you want them to |
| under the dryer and the dryer itself should be | | | | grow back in the spring. |
| performed. For houses with an attic fan, a good | | | | Every house is different and some homes may |
| idea is to remove or cover the fan with a piece | | | | need more or less jobs done. I know these tasks |
| of plywood or plastic to avoid excessive heat loss. | | | | can feeling overwhelming, especially to a new |
| Moving on to the outside of the house there are | | | | home owner, but try not to do everything at |
| some important things to consider when it comes | | | | once and spread things out over the course of |
| to winterizing your home. One of course is to | | | | about two months. Doing this will make things |
| clean the gutters and downspouts. Proper cleaning | | | | seem more manageable and will give you piece of |
| will avoid ice dams in the winter which will help | | | | mind knowing that your house is properly |
| avoid roof damage. If you have in-ground | | | | maintained. |
| sprinklers you need to have the water in the lines | | | | |