If you're in the DFW area, then it's safe to assume summer temperatures will stretch into Fall. But, before you know it, freezing temperatures will arrive. It’s not too early to begin planning the steps you’ll take to winterize your home. Here are some things to consider as we enter the colder months of the year:
- Clean your gutters. If your gutters are full of leaves and debris, they’ll trap water from rainfall. When the first freeze happens, that water turns to ice, which can weigh down the gutters and cause them to pull away from the house.
- Service your furnace. A check-up can ensure your furnace will be functional all season long. After months of not being used, it’s helpful to have it cleaned and inspected before you’ll need it most. Don’t forget to change your filter.
- Seal drafts. Weatherstripping and/or caulking your doors and windows is an affordable way to conserve energy and keep your home comfortable.
- Replace missing roof shingles and seal vents. If water penetrates your house through openings in the roof, it can be especially harmful in the winter if the water freezes in your attic.
- Prepare your outside faucets. Disconnect hoses and splitters from the spigot. Install a hose bib cover on each outdoor fixture.
- Check your fireplace. Consider having the chimney professionally cleaned to remove last year’s build-up of creosote and ash. Inspect the interior for cracks and make sure the chimney cap is in good shape.
- Monitor your thermostat. If you’re planning a holiday vacation, resist the temptation to turn off your thermostat while you’re gone. You not only run the risk of freezing pipes if there’s no heat in the house, but your system will have to work too hard to get things toasty again when you return. Lowering the temperature while you’re away is safer than a dormant furnace.
- Pack up the patio furniture. It’s unlikely you’ll be spending much time outside in freezing temps, so pack up the patio furniture, or at least the cushions, and store them during the winter to extend their life.
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