As temperatures fall and days get shorter, it’s time to prepare your home for the long and colder months ahead. So, get started with winter maintenance and take a few minutes to walk around your home and visually inspect all important heating systems from a safety and efficiency perspective and take note of routine maintenance chores which need your attention. Culbert Construction & Plumbing is here to help too!

Here are a few other effective tips to prepare your home for this winter season:

It’s Time for a Tune-Up: Inspect your HVAC, heating or heat pump to be sure the system is clean and clear of all problems and potential issues. Use carbon monoxide detectors to detect any presence of gas within your systems and seal off any exposed areas. Read the owner’s manual and learn about important maintenance tips and tune up your systems. This way, you can ensure that all your systems achieve their manufacturer-rated efficiency and do not end up costing you hundreds in heating and electricity bills.

Inspect and Clean Air Ducts: In the winter season, your heating or HVAC system is more in use than at any other time of the year. This is what makes it important for homeowners to keep the air and heat in their home clean. So, inspect your air ducts to see if they require cleaning or not. If you notice mold or mildew growth, bad odor, high electricity bills, or unexpected guests, such as mice, rats and other rodents, then perhaps it’s time for you to call a reputable air duct cleaning company.

Clear Gutters and Downspouts: Clogged downspouts and gutters can wreak havoc in your home if they freeze. So, make sure to clean them regularly to prevent any type of blockage that could result in water flooding your home. Additionally, make it a habit to inspect the gutters outside the house as well. Keep the gutters clear of sticks, leaves, pebbles, and other debris to ensure rain can drain properly.

Add Extra Insulation to Pipes: Pipes tend to freeze and break during the winter. This may cause water leakage in your home and even lead to costly repair expenses. Therefore, it’s better to be safe than sorry and add extra insulation to your pipes. You can consider using heat tapes, fiberglass, or even foam jackets. Additionally, keep in mind to caulk gaps and spaces and even around windows and doors. Silicone caulk is easy-to-apply and ideal for exterior use.

Hit the Roof: With the large amount of rain we received on the Central Coast last year, perhaps it’s time to look at your roof. Look for damaged patches and have them repaired immediately. Additionally, inspect for any missing or loose shingles which may leak during winter storms.

Other Tips: Add extensions to downspouts to divert water away from your house, turn off exterior faucets, drain your lawn-irrigation system, get ready to stow your mower, add winter striping around doors and windows, and restock all winter essentials.

So, now that you are familiar with the tips mentioned above, protecting your home from water and other damage during the winter won’t be a problem. Call Culbert Construction & Plumbing for all your repair and maintenance needs!