It is important to keep in mind that when the pleasant winter months get closer, they may bring a lot of harm that puts your home in danger, from frozen rooftops to ruptured pipes. Winter storms and the cold can bring severe weather conditions that can damage and strain your home’s systems. You should not neglect getting ready for the winter season. During a cold spell, simple precautions like routine heating system maintenance can protect you from unplanned and expensive repairs. These are the most important things you can do right now to get your home ready for winter.
Schedule a Chimney Inspection
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, heating equipment like chimneys are the main sources of house fires, so yearly maintenance is essential. The cap of the chimney should be inspected for damage, water leaks should be prevented by checking the flashing, the outlet should be cleaned, and the damper should be tested to make sure it functions properly. For this purpose, you should hire a qualified chimney sweeper to stop water from seeping in and remove extra ash.
Ensure the Safety of Interior Pipes
Taking care of water taps and frozen pipes is one of the most important maintenance tasks that can avoid problems and extend the life of your plumbing equipment during winter. If you find any exposed water lines, you should put insulation beneath sinks, in crawl spaces, and along external walls, which costs about 50 cents per linear foot. The main focus is on basements because 37% of all burst pipes are found in these areas. If you are not sure how to install insulation yourself, then consider availing yourself of plumbing services before the winter season.
Remove Debris from Drains
It is very important to clear debris from your drains twice a year before winter. If you have trees near your home, then clean up the leaves every three months because they can block your gutters and produce ice blockages in the winter. As a result, it can cause water to back up into your home and damage roofs and woodwork. Bugs and rodents can also find homes in gutters that are overflowing with garbage. You can remove the waste by wearing gloves on your hands and then check cleanliness by running water. If you ignore cleaning your drains, then it can lead to expensive repairs.
Service Your Water Heater
A combination water heater is used at various plumbing fittings that distribute hot water through baseboard radiators or radiant floor systems. It is a single unit designed to heat both the home and water. For proper functioning during winter, an inspection of the water heater is essential. You must plan to avail yourself of professional Water Heater System Repair services before harsh weather starts. This involves checking the unit, changing the anode rod if needed, removing rust and leaks, and monitoring the thermostat and condenser. Also, the resistance of water heaters between 5 and 25 Ohms can be maintained by checking them with a multimeter.