Backroom Blog

Winter is in a hurry to get here in Northeastern Oklahoma! If you haven’t prepared your home for winter yet because you thought fall was going to stay around a little longer, we have prepared a checklist that you can use to make sure you have a warm, safe, cozy winter in your home.

 

 

Outdoors:

• Bring hoses into the garage to avoid dramatic temperature changes and extend the life of your hoses.
• Cover outdoor faucets with insulated covers.
• Clean your gutters or have them cleaned. Water that pools in clogged gutters can freeze, possibly damaging the gutter, the roof, or siding.
• Clean and dry your patio furniture and store inside or cover.
• Check that all outdoor vents are free of debris and consider covering them with screens to keep out insects and rodents
• Examine wooden window frames for signs of rot or decay. Repair or replace framing to maintain structural integrity.
• Check for drafts around windows and doors.  Caulk inside and out where necessary.
• Trim overgrown branches back from the house and electrical wires to prevent ice covered branches from causing property damage or a power problem.
• Inspect decks for splintering, decay or insect damage and treat to prevent further damage
• Bring all seasonal tools inside
• Make sure you have an ample supply of ice melt or sand on hand for steps and walkways

Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning:

• Have your furnace inspected
• Inspect or have your firebox and flue system inspected to make sure it is venting properly
• Check fireplace for drafts
• Clean or replace the air filter in your furnace
• Check that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working (this is a good time to replace batteries)
• If you have an older thermostat, replace with a programmable unit
• Install foam-insulating sheets behind outlets and switch plates on exterior walls
• Make sure your ceiling fans are switched to the reverse or clockwise position
• If necessary, flush your hot water tank to remove sediment
• Examine exposed ducts in the attic, basement if you have one, and crawl spaces – use a sealant to  plug any leaks

Gutters, Roof, and Drains:

• Check for missing, damaged or warped shingles
• Check for deteriorated flashing at the chimney, walls, and skylights and around vent pipes.  Seal where water or melting ice could penetrate, using roofing cement and a caulking gun
• Check the gutters and downspouts for proper fastening and re-secure if loose or sagging.
• Clean gutters of any debris.