Preparing your home for colder weather doesn’t have to make you shiver. Below are three simple ways to do it right:
1. Clean your gutters and inspect your roof
Avoid costly water damage by keeping your gutters free of leaves and debris. Install mesh guards to keep clogs from coming back. Get on top of the roof and look for cracks, curling or missing shingles, and intact metal flashing around vents and chimneys. A fix now could save you thousands of dollars and much heartache later.
2. Check your furnace and fireplace before you turn on the heat
Here’s one area where you need help from a professional. Have your home’s heating system professionally inspected in early autumn to avoid the rush, and ensure that everything is working properly. If you plan to use a wood stove or fireplace, hire an experienced chimney sweep to remove excess creosote and inspect it for damage. A devastating chimney fire is entirely avoidable, so this is always money well spent! Regardless of your type of heating, install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as fire extinguishers throughout your home for extra peace of mind. The Big Canoe POA can recommend some good local chimney, roof and/or gutter servicing companies.
3. Humidify it!
Not only is humidified air better for your sinus and respiratory health during the dry, cooler months, but it can also help protect your investment. Keeping air humidity from getting too low will help prevent fine wood in your home from cracking. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, ideal indoor humidity levels can vary but “the ideal levels of humidity for your living space will be less than 60% in the summer and between 25-40% in the winter.” Untreated indoor air, especially in the cooler months, can have humidity levels at only 10 percent. Adding a humidifier to any room with wood furniture can help preserve the integrity of the wood. As a bonus, humid air can help control static electricity in your home and helps to hydrate your indoor plants. As soon as you turn the heat on, get that humidifier going.