Here’s Part Of Your Pre-Winter Checklist

Ok, we enjoyed some really nice weather last week, but now reality has set in and we are getting a taste of what late October should feel like.  What does that mean?  It means there are some things we need to do before we get pelted by the white stuff. 

Make sure you check over your fireplace to make sure everything is working properly. Experts suggest using a flashlight to make sure the damper opens and closes properly. Also check to flue to make sure there are no birds’ nests, branches or other obstructions.

It is also a good idea to get your furnace checked over by a professional to make sure that it is working properly.

Doing a furnace check is just to make sure that there are no carbon monoxide leaks, everything is running at peak efficiency. It’s a better chance of making it through the season without having problems.

A professional check-up can cost $50 to $100.  A small fee to pay compared to what you could end up with if you get stuck in the dead of winter with a non-working furnace.

It’s a good idea to go ahead and turn it on to make sure everything is working correctly.

There are some outdoor things to check on as well.

Before you store your lawnmower for the winter, add some fuel stabilizer to prevent gas from degrading. Simply add it to the gas can, and top off the mower tank with the stabilized gas. Run the mower for five minutes to make sure it reaches the carburetor.

Another tip is removing garden hoses from outdoor faucets. Leaving them on can cause water to back up in the faucet and the plumbing pipes in the exterior walls. That can lead to freezing in the pipes, which can cause them to expand and crack.

Cleaning your gutters should be on the to-do list as well. If you leave them full of debris, ice dams could be a result. That can lead to expensive repairs.

Just a friendly reminder to make sure you don’t end up spending more on home repairs than you would like to.