Get Ready For Winter

By Harold Popp

MA Home Inspector 346

Here in Massachusetts, Old Man Winter is settling in for a long chilly season. Before the temperatures dip too far south, follow these simple guidelines to winterize your home and save money on utilities.

Inside Your Home

• Have your heating system serviced to ensure it's working efficiently and not emitting carbon monoxide.
• Consider installing insulation on heating pipes or hot water pipes. This easy upgrade can save fuel.
• Clean permanent furnace filters and replace paper or disposable filters.
• Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• If you have a wood stove or fireplace, have your chimney swept thoroughly.
• Check your hot water heater for leaks and maintain proper temperature setting (120 degrees recommended by Department of Energy). On older water heaters with less insulation, for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit you lower the temperature, you save 6 percent of your water heating energy.
• Check the attic to see if insulation needs to be added or replaced. This is the most significant area of heat loss in many homes and a minimum of 9” of fiberglass or other material is suggested. If possible, you may also want to check insulation in exterior walls, crawl spaces and along foundation walls.
• Check all windows and doors for air leaks. Lower or Install storm windows. Putty, caulk or add weather stripping as needed.
• Check basement for cracks or gaps that may steal heat from your home. Seal or caulk these openings with the appropriate materials. DO NOT mistakenly close or seal fresh air vents to your heating or hot water systems. If unsure about this you should check with a heating professional.
• Make sure all vents are clean and operating properly.
• Clean and vacuum baseboard heaters, heating ducts and vents.
• Remove window air conditioning units.

Outside Your Home

• Store or cover outdoor furniture, toys and grill.
• Purchase rock salt for melting snow and a shovel or snow blower if you don't already have one. Make sure you have the right kind of gas and oil on hand for your snow blower.
• Caulk joints and minor cracks on exterior walls and siding.
• Look for deteriorating finishes. Minor problems can be patched to preserve the wood. Put bigger jobs, such as scraping and refinishing painted or stained areas, on the calendar for next spring or early summer.
• Drain and shut off sprinkler systems. Close the valve to the outside faucets to avoid frozen and broken pipes. Leave all sillcocks (outside faucets) slightly open.
• Insulate exterior spigots and other pipes that are subject to freezing but can't be drained or shut off.
• Rake and compost leaves and garden debris, or put out for yard-waste pickup. Leaves left on your lawn through the winter may damage grass.
• Clean storm drains, gutters and other drain pipes. Extend downspouts away from the foundation.
• Check the foundation for proper drainage. A little shoveling to reshape the earth next to the house may make the water run away from the foundation and help to prevent seepage of water into the basement.
• Make sure dirt or piles of wood don't come into contact with or touch siding, inviting termites and carpenter ants into the house.
• Inspect the roof for loose, damaged or missing Shingles.
• Check attic vent openings for nests or other blockages.