Being first time homeowners this winter has forced me to think 'like a homeowner' as fall and winter approaches. This piece of property that I am working to own is something I truly want to take care of so that it will continue to house my family for the next thirty-something years.
While the rain has started in this morning (and this girl is very happy about it!), there is still plenty of time to prepare you home for the coming months, why not start this weekend?
Gutters/Downspouts
If the thought of cleaning out your gutters conjures up images of cartoony people falling backwards off ladders, you watched alot of Looney Toons as a kid, and think again because it is a relatively simple task that can save you a ton of hassle later on. Cleaning out your gutters will most definitely stop that annoying drip drip drip noise that happens when it rains and you are trying to sleep but you cant because all you can hear is the rain falling in the clogged gutter. (I have very vivid memories of this from my childhood apparently!) Clean out the gutters using your hose to spray water down the downspouts to clear away dirt and leaves and general gunk. Leaf guards on the gutters or extensions on the downspouts can help to direct water away from the foundation, which is a good thing.
Seasonal Equipment
Have you ever stopped to consider that we have season specific equipment to work on our homes? We do, you certainly don't mow your lawn in the winter, unless of course you live in California. We don't shovel snow in the summer, unless you live in Alaska! So drain the gas from your mower, clean and dry your summer garden tools and store in a safe place for winter. The flip side of this is tuning up snow blowers and sharpening snow shovels and buying sand and de-icer. (Unless of course you believe the world is ending...)
Have you ever stopped to consider that we have season specific equipment to work on our homes? We do, you certainly don't mow your lawn in the winter, unless of course you live in California. We don't shovel snow in the summer, unless you live in Alaska! So drain the gas from your mower, clean and dry your summer garden tools and store in a safe place for winter. The flip side of this is tuning up snow blowers and sharpening snow shovels and buying sand and de-icer. (Unless of course you believe the world is ending...)
Pipes/Foundation
Plumbing can be a silent terror in a home that can cause extra trouble in the winter when water freezes. The first thing you should locate is the water main, so that in an emergency you know how to shut off the water to your home. After you use your hose to clean out your gutters, drain and disconnect from the faucet. Then, my favorite part of this, use foam covers with zip ties to cover the faucets to insulate and prevent freezing! Just yesterday my husband and father climbed under our new home to wrap some pipes and put flashing around the vents on the foundation so we are ready for winter.
Plumbing can be a silent terror in a home that can cause extra trouble in the winter when water freezes. The first thing you should locate is the water main, so that in an emergency you know how to shut off the water to your home. After you use your hose to clean out your gutters, drain and disconnect from the faucet. Then, my favorite part of this, use foam covers with zip ties to cover the faucets to insulate and prevent freezing! Just yesterday my husband and father climbed under our new home to wrap some pipes and put flashing around the vents on the foundation so we are ready for winter.
Seal decking, fences and driveways to prevent mold and cracks.
All woodwork could use some protection before the wind and rain hits so seal it up!
All woodwork could use some protection before the wind and rain hits so seal it up!
Clean Fireplace or Furnace
Growing up my parents had two types of fireplaces in our home, a pellet stove and a wood burning stove. This is the first home that I myself have has a fireplace and while it used to be wood it is now propane and making sure both are clean is a top priority. We just bought our home this year, and while we inspected the chimney to make sure it wasn't going to fall off the roof and wasn't cracked, we have no idea if it has been properly cleaned in the past twenty five years. If the chimney hasn't been cleaned for a while, call a chimney sweep to remove soot and creosote.
In addition to all the cleaning:
-Inspect the fireplace damper for proper opening and closing.
-Check the mortar between bricks and tuckpoint, if necessary.
Happy Winterizing Grays Harbor!
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