A renowned misinterpretation is that our recent winter that broke records is at odds with the global “warming” crisis. Plenty of people think that the problem is only making summers hotter than usual. But if you perceive it as a wider frame, the meteorological and weather spectrum has gone from severe to extreme due to global warming, which means people will experience worse winters. For example, consider last winter when Arctic air flowed through the country through the well-known polar vortex.
Winter is not a surprise, but the public may not have enough preparation when it arrives. Preparing for the dangers of winter increases your chances of staying healthy and safe as temperatures begin dropping to a freeze. Take the following precautions now to ensure a safe home, good health, and a peaceful mindset.
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Clean Gutters and Replace Shingles
Go to the roof to examine any loose shingles. If you find some, replace them immediately to prevent potential catastrophic house hazards from melting deposits that can penetrate through your roof. Simultaneously, take the time to remove unwanted sticks, leaves, and other debris in the gutters that can cause obstruction melted ice and snow and flowing rain that can cause added stress, leading to possible damage.
Clean Vents and Chimneys to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Accidents
Make sure your chimneys and vents don’t have any debris blocking them. Remove any crawling vines and leaves; cut shrubs and vegetation to avoid blocked ventilation. Clear anything you see in the chimney or vents to ensure it doesn’t accidentally block the exhaust with gushes of wind. It might lead to carbon monoxide buildup in the house, which can also cause outages and heating systems, other than oxygen depletion.
Replace, inspect, and install smoke alarms and devices that detect carbon monoxide accumulation. There have been many deaths caused by fires and carbon monoxide poisoning since they don’t immediately get noticed, especially when people are asleep. It’s best to replace these devices every five years, according to manufacturers.
Assess Your Home’s HVAC System
The usual lifespan of a heating and air conditioning system is 12 to 15 years. However, some die after a decade, while others continue to function well after 20 years. How homeowners maintain them has a lot to do with it.
At the very least, before the weather gets chilly, replace your filters. A competent HVAC contractor should examine the system, as suggested by professionals. You could also consider signing up for annual maintenance. Consult a contractor to ensure that your heating system is ready to go when you need its use. It’s better to uncover an HVAC issue during the mild autumn months than it is to discover that you have a broken furnace that needs fixing during the bitter winter months.
Pipe Freezing Prevention: Preventative Measures
Breaking pipes occurring because you didn’t adequately prepare them for the winter is the last thing you want to deal with this season. Always inspect the sprinkler systems to make sure they’re winterized and blown out; insulate your outdoor water lines and faucets; You should also empty the air conditioning system’s pipes and shut off its valve.
Keep Stocks on Outdoor Hardware
Just as you wouldn’t confront an upcoming snowstorm without the necessary supplies inside — such as wine, toilet paper, milk, and bread — and don’t forget to stock up on the materials you’ll need for your home’s exterior as well. Before, during, and after any winter, conduct a cursory survey to see if you have sidewalk salt, snowblowers, shovels, rakes, and other equipment for cleaning during winter to keep everyone on your property safe. Additionally, to avoid facing prices for supply-and-demand or finding very little inventory remaining at the hardware shop, go early, or else things will only be worse for you.
Paint, Caulk, Seal Outside Wood
Always remember to weatherproof all your home’s external wood trim. Your deck’s wood may most likely be rot-resistant or pressure-treated types, but the wood trim surrounding the outside of your windows and doors is only a single inch thick and will degrade rapidly without the proper protection.
There is a significant financial and time commitment involved when replacing the trim, and even specialists may find it challenging to make the restoration appear decent. Making sure to paint and caulk it is the best way to prevent it from rotting in the first place. If you remain on top of it, most individuals can handle this task alone.
To save on expenses, only hire trim carpenters to handle the project when you notice decaying wood, which is often a sign of replacement. Take the Now is the moment to inspect your property to ensure the paint and caulk are not peeling or breaking before calling professionals. If so, remove the old caulk or paint and reapply.
Final Thoughts
Cold weather, cabin fever, limited daylight, and other stressors make winter a particularly depressing time of year. When the going gets rough, you must strategize ahead and plan the season accordingly.