We all know about spring cleaning, but how about giving your home some care and attention this winter? Giving wintertime TLC to your home is especially important in communities where it snows, like Castle Pines in Denver. The To-Do List below gives you an overview of some important chores you might want to take care of.
Protect Your Plumbing
Disconnect garden hoses and drain and shut off outdoor faucets. Check the pressure valves on the water heater to make sure there are no leaks. Make a note of where you can shut off the main water valve in the event it of freezing temperatures. Drain the water heater and remove any sediment that’s accumulated on the bottom.
Close the Gaps
Fill gaps to keep the cold out. Outside, fill gaps with expansion foam. Clean or reapply caulking indoors around windows and doors. While you’re at it, check the caulking around showers, bathtubs and sinks, too. If any of your electrical outlets have holes around them, stall covers behind the plate.
Insulate
Insulate exterior pipes properly so they won’t freeze. Add insulation where it’s needed in the attic, basement, crawl space and even the garage. Consider getting an insulated garage door and exterior doors.
Get Into Your Gutter
Winter is a great time to protect your home and its foundation from pooling water. Maintain gutters and downspouts by cleaning them out regularly. Then, when it rains or snow begins to melt you won’t have to worry about debris clogging things up.
Banish Chirping Smoke Detectors
Don’t lose sleep over pesky chirping detectors. Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon dioxide detectors. Never simply remove the batteries because you need the protection these devices provide.
Little Things Matter
Don’t forget all the little issues like creaking floorboards, noisy door hinges and lose towel racks. For tips on how to take care of these and other home repair issues, go to houselogic.com.
