With winter winds beginning to blow (or coming soon), these winterizing tips may come in handy.
Clear the Clothes Dryer
Now is a good time to replace your clothes dryer vent or at the very least, make sure it is obstruction free. By checking or replacing your vent hose at the same time you winterize (doing such things at the same time each year), you will develop a good habit. This is one of the best ways to ensure that such things don’t get overlooked.
Get the Fireplace ready for Santa
If you have a fireplace, it’s a good idea to have it checked out every winter before using it. The flue needs to be inspected. Make sure there are no obstructions in the chimney or hire someone to check it out. It’s also a good idea to clean the fireplace thoroughly before the cold weather season begins, to remove excess soot. Remember, if you decide to update your fireplace, use specially formulated high temperature, heat resistant paint to avoid fire hazards. While high temperatures will wear away even high heat paint fairly quickly, your fireplace will start the season looking good. If you don’t want to repaint each winter, try giving it a good scrubbing with a wire brush. A good cleaning goes a long way toward good looks and good maintenance.
Give Pipes a Wrap
While you may be more in the mood for wrapping presents, another important step when it comes to winterizing your home is wrapping pipes to keep them from freezing. If pipes freeze, and they very well might in unheated areas such as crawlspaces, they may break and this can result in major headaches and expense. There are also products and kits designed especially for this purpose. Ask at your favorite hardware store or home improvement center. There are different options from which to choose. If you choose to use “heat tape,” be sure to follow all instructions precisely, since improper usage may lead to fire.
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