|
|
My Blog
Robert Carter: Posted on Sunday, October 30, 2011 1:35 PM
At CCM Property Maintenance and Remodel, we're busy this time of year cleaning gutters, covering exterior faucets, and winterizing sprinkler systems. Winter is always that time of the year when that unexpected storm may take you by "Storm" this is why we encourage you to be prepared for that rouge weather front. If we can help you with any of the listed items below please do not hesitate to contact us at...541-554-9475
- If you have a fireplace or woodstove, lay in a supply of wood as early as you can. Burn dry, dry wood. Keep fires small and hot to reduce buildup in chimneys.
Store wood where it is dry but has good air flow. A covered shed is
ideal, but a loose tarp can work just as well. Make sure it’s
stacked off the ground to keep the bottom course clean and dry. Wet
wood attracts insects. Don’t stack your wood right next to the house;
leave at least a gap of a couple inches to avoid creating an insect
highway to your home’s interior.
- Make sure that any backup heating source—such as a gas fireplace, woodstove, or pellet stove—is in good working order.
For wood burning fireplaces and woodstoves, have your chimney cleaned
regularly. The more you burn, the more often you should have your
chimney cleaned. If you burn one-half to a full cord of wood a year, every two years
for cleaning is probably okay if your wood has had at least a year to
season. The greener the wood, the faster creosote builds up. Creosote
can cause a chimney fire so it's not something you want to let go.
- Clean your gutters. It’s one of those chores that
no one likes but must be done. In the fall, you may find it necessary
to clean a couple times depending on what types of trees you have near
the house.
- Make sure downspouts are free flowing and splash blocks direct water well away from the foundation.
- Check the roof and make any small roof repairs now. This is another important task. At the same time check ridge vents and make sure they are clear of any obstructions.
- Trees, bushes, and other foundation plantings need to be trimmed back away from the house.
Any dead or diseased branches on trees need to be removed. This
prevents bugs from taking up residence in your home, and reduces damage
to siding, roofs, and gutters from whipping branches. In other words,
nothing should be touching your house.
- Have your heating system serviced if you haven’t done it in a while.
There is nothing worse than having the heat go off when it’s 25 degrees
outside. And it always seems to happen to too many other people at the
same time, so you have
to wait and shiver until the heating guy shows up.
- Check your smoke alarm and make sure it’s functioning. If you have a carbon-monoxide detector, check it at the same time.
- Weatherize your home. Caulk joints where materials meet. The US Department of Energy
says if you can pull a piece of paper out of a closed door without
tearing you're losing energy, so check and replace weather stripping on
all
doors and windows. Install foam inserts in electrical receptacles on
exterior walls.
- Set up your 72-hour stock of emergency provisions. Allocate a space; keep everything you’ll need in case the power goes off there.
There are many more tasks to do and this list of essentials may vary
depending on your home and its requirements.
|
|
|
|
