By Mike Nelson
Last-minute Winter Preparations
Hello Neighbors! This issue’s column is a reminder of how to prepare your home for the winter months. Freezing temperatures and snow can do significant damage to your home, if not prepared properly.
Smoke Detectors
Conventional wisdom says to change the batteries in your smoke detectors when the time changes. While that’s certainly a good idea, it does seem wasteful to throw away good batteries. Let’s assume that you haven’t been testing your detectors once per month, as is recommended. If not, now’s the time to get up on the step-stool and test them. Push the test button, and if nothing happens, then replace the battery. If that doesn’t work, then replace the entire unit. You might find that after testing, the “low battery warning” periodic chirp starts up. This is normal, as the test does drain down the battery somewhat. If it doesn’t stop fairly soon, replace the battery and test it again. While you’ve got your step-ladder out, reverse your ceiling fans. You don’t want the air blowing down on you during heating season.
Outside Faucets
Getting ready for winter also means shutting down the outside water for the season. Your garden hoses should be safely stored away for the season. Be sure to drain the water out of them before putting them away. Never leave a hose attached to an outside faucet, even a “freeze-proof” type, or they will freeze. Outside faucets should be turned off from the inside of the house, and left open on the outside. If you haven’t already had your sprinklers blown out, it’s not too late to do that. Make sure to get the backflow preventer cleared out, because if that freezes, you’re in for an expensive repair next spring.
Gutters
Gutters filled with leaves can lead to ice dams, meaning that ice is getting under your roof shingles. Clear out the debris, and give them a good washing out to check for leaks. If you have leaks, they can be sealed with a silicone-based gutter and flashing sealant, available at your local hardware store. Also check to make sure that your gutter discharge is directed away from your foundation. Use plastic drain extensions, or concrete gutter blocks to get this done. Please be careful up on that ladder!
Leaks, Cracks and Windows
While you’re at the hardware store, buy yourself a tube of painter’s caulk, and use it to seal up cracks and leaks outside your house. The caulk comes in white, brown and some other colors, but I prefer to just use the clear version, especially when sealing near brick. The latex caulk can be painted, so make sure not to use silicone, since it’s not paintable. A fun way to check for leaks is to walk around the inside of your house on a windy day waving a burning incense stick around windows and doors. The movement of the smoke will alert you to where outside air is getting in. If you have your original windows, make sure to put on your storm windows, if you have them. If they’re in need of repairs, now’s the time to have them fixed.
Furnace
If you have an older furnace, and haven’t had it serviced recently, you should consider having it professionally cleaned and checked. If you use your wood-burning fireplace, ask yourself when you last had the chimney cleaned. If you can’t remember, consider calling a professional chimney sweep to take care of it.
Philips has just come out with a compact fluorescent bulb with a built-in photocell that sells for less than $10. Looks like a great choice for all your exterior lighting fixtures.
Mike Nelson lives in Mayfair and is the owner of Fairfax Home Solutions.
