The first big snowfall of the season usually hits this time of year in
many parts of the country. This annual ritual also gives you an opportunity to
learn a few things about your home.
Is snow melting fast from your roof? This could suggest that heat from
the house is escaping through the roof. Add some attic insulation to prevent
this heat loss. Inspect the insulation on the attic floor; and if you discover
any gaps, you need to fix them. The attic insulation should be of uniform
thickness. Also it has to be dry.
There are quite a few things that you need to do after a snowfall:
You need to clear the walkways.
Sprinkle some salt or sand on the snow and use a shovel to remove it. Check
your roof to see if there is any ice buildup. If you discover an ice dam, you
need to break it up. If you let the ice accumulate along the eaves, melted snow
may leak through your roof. Tree branches may break if you do not knock snow
from them.
To prevent your pipes from
breaking, you should consider blocking all crawl space vents on the north-side
with pieces of plywood. You may let the bathtub and sink faucets trickle
slowly. This will prevent the pipes from freezing especially on those days when
you turn your heating system off because you are away.
If you use an oil burner, you
can save money and fuel by cleaning parts of the burner yourself. Cut off the
power supply to the system and remove the blower cover. Now you have to dust
the blower blades. Pour some oil to lubricate the motor. If you are really
handy, you can also replace the filter and clean the strainer.
If you have a forced air
distribution system, you should inspect the ducts routinely to check for leaks.
If you discover leaks, you need to seal them with duct tape. You also need
to dust the duct grilles periodically, and get the entire system cleaned
annually.
Be tough with rats or mice that
invade your home. They may chew your house's wires and cause a short
circuit which can even burn your home down. Buy traps of appropriate sizes to
catch the rodents.
Make sure that your emergency kit is well-equipped. You must have blankets, first-aid kits, gallons of potable water, a radio (battery-powered), candles, matches, flashlights and handy tools for turning off water and gas lines. If the winters in your area are extremely cold, you should have a backup heating system. It could be a backup generator or a wood stove.
If your house is in an area
prone to experiencing strong hurricanes, you should keep sheets of plywood to
protect your windows. People living in earthquake-vulnerable areas must have
food and water to last a week. Campers should keep their camping supplies near
their emergency stash.
Winter is the right time to
create a list of things you would like to change in your home. If you just
moved into your home, you should live in it for at least one year before
undertaking any major remodel. Watch how your house interacts with your
surroundings through the four seasons. This will give you a better
understanding of what you really need to change.
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