(Editor’s Note: The City of Fort Smith sent this email. We thought it would be of interest to our readers).
- Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
- According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment failures account for 15 percent of all home fires. Furnaces and heaters can also produce carbon monoxide gas, which is colorless and odorless. Make sure that checking the batteries in you smoke and fire detectors is high on your winter home maintenance checklist.
- Get Your Furnace Serviced
- Get your furnace cleaned and serviced early in the season, before cold temperatures set in and your local licensed HVAC professionals are swamped with furnace service requests. Getting your furnace checked out can nip potential problems in the bud and save you the inconvenience and discomfort of dealing with a furnace breakdown in the middle of winter.
- Insulate Pipes in Unheated Areas
- Pipes near windows, doors, and in unheated parts of your home can freeze and burst, leading to flooding and expensive plumbing repairs. Makes sure that pipes in any unheated parts of your home are properly insulated. Disconnect the garden hose from the outside spigot, turn off the water to the spigot, and cover the outdoor faucet with a freeze cap.
- Prepare for the Worst
- Extreme weather is becoming more common, and you need to be prepared for a storm that could leave you without power or heat during cold weather. Stock up on batteries, blankets, non-perishable food, bottled water, first-aid supplies, and flashlights. Consider buying a solar smartphone charger or stocking up on rechargeable power banks. Installing a generator could save your life.
- Test Your Sump Pump
- If you have a sump pump, test your it before wet weather occurs. A properly functioning sump pump will keep your basement dry. Pour a few gallons of water into the sump pit to make sure that the pump kicks on. If it doesn’t, replace it. On average, a sump pump lasts about 10 years.
- Inspect your Roof
- Your roof protects your home’s structure and everything inside it from the forces of nature. Get up on a ladder and take a look at your roof before it’s covered in snow. You’re looking for cracked or missing shingles, broken shingles, and grit that have been washed into your gutters. Check for broken seals around the chimney or around any roof vents, too.
- Clean your Gutters
- While you’re on the ladder lookin at your roof, clean out the gutters. Gutters that are clogged with debris could allow water to seep down behind the siding on you home’s exterior, causing serious water damage. Clean your gutters before winter sets in to protect your home from the melting snow and ice.
- Flush Your Hot Water Tank
- Flushing your hot water tank clears it of mineral sediment that can build up in the tank over time. That sediment can cause your tank to rust prematurely, shorting its life. Flush your hot water tank at least on a year.
- Protect Your Air Conditioner
- Falling ice, branches, and other debris can damage your outdoor A/C. Avoid waterproof A/C covers, as they can encourage small animals to take up residence inside your unit. Instead, simply place a piece of plywood on top of your unit to protect if from falling debris.
- Spruce Up Your Entryway
- If the concrete or wood on your front walk or steps is damaged, repair it before cold weather sets in. Check the handrail to make sure it’s sturdy and well-anchored. Stock up on rock salt. Get your indoor entryway and mudroom ready for winter traffic, too. Set out boot trays and put down mats inside and outside to protect your floor from snowmelt and rock salt. Make provisions for drying wet coats, gloves, scarves, hats and boots in your mudroom.
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