"A Smart Home Is A Professionally Inspected Home"

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Annual Winter Maintenance Tasks
 

  • Exterior Maintenance Tasks
  • Replace your window screens with storm windows if you have them. If you do not have storm windows, it’s still a good idea to remove the screens.
  • Drain your garden hoses and store them in the garage or a covered area.
  • Get your chimney cleaned if you rely on a fireplace or a woodstove for heat.
  • Identify tree hazards that could pose a risk to your home or safety from a heavy snow load or strong wind.
  • Place a screen over intake vents to prevent rodents from discovering a warm place to call home.
  • Clean debris from flat roofs or roof valleys where leaves can collect and hold moisture.
  • Store patio furniture in the garage or garden shed.
     
  • Interior Maintenance Tasks
  • Reverse the direction of ceiling fans to force warm air down into the room.
  • Install or increase attic insulation or have a professional inspection if you’re concerned about heat loss through the roof.
  • Inspect pipes that run on exterior walls for proper insulation or any vulnerabilities to freezing.
  • Have your furnace or heating system professionally inspected.
  • Check batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
  • Turn off water valves that supply water to hose spigots if you have them.
  • Pour a few gallons of water in your sump pit to make sure the sump pump works correctly.
  • Remove and store any window mounted AC units.
  • If your HVAC system has a humidifier, get it inspected and calibrated. Make sure the drain line is clear.
     

On-Going Winter Maintenance Tasks
 

  • Exterior Tasks
  • Continue to monitor the roof for any ice dams or damage. Icicles hanging from your roof line is an indication of a poorly insulated attic and a potential ice damn threat.
  • Keep large snowdrifts from piling up against your home.
  • Use sand or gravel on walkways for traction. Salt/ice-melt is also effective but has a narrow operating temperature range and isn’t very environmentally friendly.
  • Keep driveways and walkways clear of snow between storms.
     
  • Interior Tasks
  • Monitor windows and doors for drafts.
  • During deep cold spells (less than 15 degrees for more than 24 hours) keep all interior doors open to encourage heat circulation.
  • Replace your HVAC air filter every three months.

 

 

Vin Bagnaturo

SmartHome Inspections LLC

https://smarthomeinspections.net

vin@smarthomeinspections.net

201.600.7763

 

LICENSE #24G100184400

Radon Certification: #MET14113

SmartHome Inspections LLC
 

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To:  Emil Ratti