Simple Tips To Prepare Your Home For Winter
It's autumn again and Thanksgiving is almost here
. Days are shorter, nights seem to be getting longer, leaves are changing color and mornings are crisp with frost on the grass signaling the arrival of winter in a few weeks. Autumn is an excellent time for those deep-cleaning chores and to prepare for winter in and around the home.
Here are a few tips to assist you in preparing your home before winter sets in.
Inside The House:
Learning to clean efficiently is the key in doing a thorough cleaning of any home. Keep a clear cleaning goal in mind or on paper. Start with a list of rooms or living areas that need deep cleaning. Prioritize based on time available and start with the least time consuming or the smallest area. A small accomplishment gives confidence and motivation to attain bigger goals. Be realistic in what you can accomplish in the time you have at hand. You may need to break the cleaning task list into manageable amounts. After you get started, make adjustments as you go. The project may take a few hours, a few days or hopefully just a few weeks if necessary.
A major tip is to clean from top to bottom and left to right. Professional Cleaning companies often use this method to stay in focus and not miss tasks that need attention. Thoroughly vacuum window blinds, drapes, treatments, wiping window sills, and trim (if accessible). Horizontal surfaces, however small, hold dust, so a light window cleaner may be necessary. Use clean towels or wash cloths, remember you can only clean as clean as the cleaning medium. Wash window glass with a glass cleaner.
Thoroughly vacuum the upholstered furniture. Use necessary attachments to get into the crevices of the fabric or the furniture. Keep the change! You may be surprised at what you find. If you have not had them professionally cleaned, you may wish to hire a trained and qualified company to provide professional upholstery cleaning.
Remove and launder all bedding: Comforters and blankets, sheets, mattress pads, duvets, pillows and pillow cases, etc. Turn mattress end to end to even the wear.
Thoroughly vacuum carpets, especially at the edges, under furniture that is not usually or often moved, in the corners, behind the wires of the entertainment systems or under beds and around the night stands, etc. Hire a professional carpet cleaner, be careful to hire a reputable company. Cheaper is not often the best situation, remember the old adage, You get what you pay for.
In the utility room, change the filter in the HVAC unit. Hire a licensed contractor to do a checkup on the heater and unit. Replace or clean the filter for the humidifier, should you have one. Purchase additional filters to avoid looking for them in the dead of winter. Purchase extra salt bags for the water softener so you do not have to lug them when there is ice or snow on the ground.
In the kitchen, pull the refrigerator out and clean under and behind. Check the ice-maker line for any possible damage to avoid a water damage situation. Thoroughly vacuum above the kitchen cabinets, in and around cabinets. Throw out old unused spices and bottles to create room. Prepare for the Holidays!
In the garage, make room to park your vehicles. Organize and put away your gardening supplies, bring out snow shovels and for easy access. purchase a few bags of ice melt so you will be prepared. This is not the best time for a garage sale, but certainly a great time to donate some of the junk you have collected.
If you have never checked your attic, make sure you have at least 6 inches of insulation. Lack of insulation causes extensive heat loss and possible frozen pipes in extreme winter conditions. Frozen pipes are a leading cause of water damage that may ruin large portions of your home.
Outside The House
Outside chores can be physically demanding, so be prepared:
Inspect screen doors, entry doors, garage doors and windows through-out the house. Caulk and seal if necessary to keep winter heat in and old-man winter out. Add weather stripping as necessary.
Clean gutters and downspouts of debris and leaves. Keeping clean gutters keeps snow and ice dams from forming and causing water damage to the interior of the home.
Check chimney and flues and have them cleaned if necessary. Purchase firewood by the cord instead of the occasional trip to the store to save money and enjoy the warmth of the fireplace. This prevents possible
smoke damage to your home should the chimney not be properly cleaned and maintained.
Drain garden hoses and disconnect from outside spigots. This prevents the spigots from freezing. If necessary, install insulating covers over them which are easily available from a local hardware store. Have the yard sprinkler systems blown-out free of water before consistent hard freezing temperatures. Frozen spigots will burst and cause water damage when used in the spring.
Clean and store patio furniture, umbrellas, and childrens summer toys. Discard broken or damaged items that you know you will not use the following spring or summer.
Wash and clean exterior windows.
This is certainly not an exhaustive list, but will keep you busy for a few weekends.
by: iqbalhami
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