Winter is upon us here in Michigan. It’s that time of year to batten down the hatches, and protect our biggest investment. Here are a few easy to do items that will save money, help prevent deterioration, and keep you warmer.
- Close all feed valves to outside faucets, then open the outside bibs to drain water in the pipe. It’s also a good idea to purchase Styrofoam faucet covers for the hose bibs. Even if you have freeze proof faucets, you should cover them.
- Install a weather cover for your central AC unit.
- Clean all gutters, & be sure down spouts are directed away from the home and any walks. This will assist in keeping ice build up to a minimum
- Clean and seal all cracks in concrete drives and walks, this will prevent heaving from ice. Seal asphalt drives if crumbling, cracking or los areas exists
- Look at all caulking around all windows and doors, and caulk where necessary
- Check all door seals and threshold seals. Tip Take a flashlight at night, turn lights off, shine the light around the door seal and threshold, having someone outside to see if any light shines through. Replace seals if necessary
- Check overhead garage door seals, replace if necessary.
- Inspect the flashing around the chimney and seal if necessary
- If you have a fireplace, wood stove, or other solid fuel burning heat source, have the chimney cleaned and inspected by a qualified chimney sweep
- Trim all tree branches that can fall on the home (added weight from snow and ice can stress branches to the breaking point)
- Don’t store firewood against your house, rodents take shelter in wood, and may find there way into your warm home for winter
- Don’t feed birds close to the house, bird food is also great food for field mice, and they may get into the home
- If your home has a crawl space with shutter metal vents, close the vents (Just remember to open them again in the spring)