You can feel the chill in your air. But are you feeling it inside your home? Get ready for the cold months ahead by following these steps to winterize your home.
Test your heating system.
Don’t wait until it’s time to turn on the heat to actually turn on the heat. Turn up the thermostat to 80 degrees. Listen for the furnace to kick in. Wait until you feel the warm air and then turn the temperature back to where you want it. If this process doesn’t work as it should, call your heating service.
Have your chimney cleaned and inspected.
Creosote builds up in the chimney and is the leading cause of home fires. Before you use your fireplace this winter, hire a certified chimney inspector or chimney sweep to clean out the creosote build-up, inspect the liner, and repair any cracks or leaks.
Prep your snowblower.
It has been sitting for months. Don’t assume your snowblower will rev up when you’re ready to tackle that first snowfall. Fill the gas tank. Turn it on. Also, be sure you have a good snow shovel, and a supply of sand or salt.
Check for drafts.
Significant heat loss occurs from leaky doors and windows—around the trim and under the doors. Test for drafts. Replace the weatherstripping, if necessary.
If it’s time to replace your doors or windows, contact us at Johnson County Siding & Windows. We’ve been serving the Kansas City area for 40 years.
