Winter Problems & Preventative Maintenance: Part 4

Part 4 

Welcome back to the winter maintenance and preventative options that help you save you energy, money and time. In case you missed Part 1, Part 2, or Part 3 check them out and don’t forget to visit HomeFaxInspect.com and NationwideHomeFax.com when you’re done. 

Stow your Lawn Mower

As your lawn mower sits in your garage or shed through the winter season, remaining fuel will decompose, varnishing the carburetor and making it difficult to start your small engine in the spring. According to John Deere, these preventative steps can be taken: If you’ve added stabilizer to your fuel to keep it fresh longer, fill the gas tank to the top with more stabilized fuel and run the engine briefly to allow for circulation. If not, wait until the tank is nearly empty from use and run the engine to use up the remaining fuel. Your owner’s manual may also have information about winter and cold-weather maintenance.

Prune Trees or Shrubs in Late Winter

Although common misconceptions have led most people to trim their trees and shrubs in the fall, horticulturalists advise waiting to prune until late winter for most plants after they’ve been long dormant and just before spring growth begins. One exception is large trees and branches that need to be trimmed continuously away from power lines in case of heavy wind and winter storm damage. For information regarding specific vegetation, consult with master gardeners or horticulturists in your local area and state. 

Sump Pump Testing

Slowly pour several gallons of water into your sump pit, every few months, to gauge whether your sump pump is turning on properly. The average sump pump lifespan is approximately ten years, and this maintenance is even more important during a long dry season or shortly before a rainy season.  

Check back for Part 5 of winter maintenance tips and preventative options brought to you by Home Fax Inspections and Nationwide Home Fax.

Winter Problems & Preventative Maintenance: Part 3

Part 3

Welcome back to the winter maintenance and preventative options that help you save you energy, money and time. In case you missed Part 1 or Part 2, check them out and don’t forget to visit HomeFaxInspect.com and NationwideHomeFax.com when you’re done.  

Downspout Drainage System

To properly direct melting snow and water away from your foundation and structure, add, fix or replace your downspout drainage system to divert water away from your home. Adding 3’ to 5’ downspout extensions is easy, cost effective, and can have a huge impact on your homes long term condition. Not to mention, as the melting water enters the foundation and freezes, your foundation becomes susceptible to the pressure that the water creates as it freezes. On a similar note, fix any screws or missing fixture pieces as additional pressure is placed on them during the winter as well. 

Turn off Exterior Faucets

No one wants to fix bursting water pipes at any point in time. Turning off your exterior water may seem like common sense, but many people experience bursting pipes from ice expansion and encounter additional unplanned expenses as a result of simply forgetting to handle this task.  Disconnect all garden hoses and drain the excess water remaining in the faucets. If you do not have frost-proof faucets, remember to turn the shut-off valve inside your off home as well. 

Drain Lawn-Irrigation Systems

Many homes have lawn irrigation systems, such as automatic sprinklers that can also freeze, create pressure, and cause leaks, if left un-drained prior to winter. Draining sprinkler-system pipes will help avoid freezing and leaks.  This one may require a professional and a $50-$150 charge, but could also save you thousands in the long-run.  

 

After completing these tasks on your home, check back on Wednesday for Part 4 of winter maintenance tips and preventative options brought to you by Home Fax Inspections and Nationwide Home Fax.

Winter Problems & Preventative Maintenance: Part 2

Part 2

With the winter season officially here, every homeowner should be aware of common homeownership maintenance problems and preventative options for alleviating unexpected costs and time. If you missed Part 1 visit you can check it out here and consider preparing your home for the winter season with the following Part 2 suggestions:

Check your Roof

Before snow covers the vast majority of your roof and has a chance to melt, inspect your roof from the eave (lowest part of the roof line) on a ladder and check for loose, damaged, or missing shingles. If corrections are needed before water has a chance to penetrate the observed areas, hire a handyman to replace a small amount of shingles or a roofer to fix a larger section. 

Clean Gutters

When gutters are full of leaves and debris, especially near rooflines that are surrounded by trees, water can back up against the house and damage roofing, siding, and trim as well as possible ice dams. If your home is too large to clean the gutters yourself, consider hiring a handyman for $70-$200 and have them look for missing or damaged downspout drainage system pieces and fascia boards. 

Caulk Around Doors & Windows

One of the easiest ways for heat and energy to escape your home, and cost you money, is through old, untreated windows with gaps between the siding and window/door frame.  If you see spots that are larger than the size of a nickel, reapply silicone caulk to the exterior. Silicone is best for exterior use because it won’t shrink and it’s impervious to the elements. Add additional weather-stripping as needed around doors, and check window-glazing putty too. 

If you’re planning a move now or in the future, make sure to visit www.HomeFaxInspect.com for your home inspection from Home Fax Inspections, and get your Home Fax Report prior to purchasing the home by visiting www.NationwideHomeFax.com. We’ll be back for Part 3 soon, see you then!