Home Maintenance Tips

FYI / For Your Information
Winter Checklist

Locate water shut off for emergencies
Disconnect hoses from hose bibs, drain hoses
Check hot water heater pilot, pop off drain line
Water heater should be drained and refilled once a year
Anode rod (in water heater) should be checked occasionally – this will prolong the tank life
Insulate exposed plumbing pipes
Check under sinks for leaks

Change filters frequently in winter (these are located in ceiling vents or at furnace)
Ducts should be cleaned every 2 years and checked by a professional
Reprogram thermostats
Check condensate drains on high efficient furnaces (these can freeze up in cold weather and shut down furnace and cause leaks)
Check filters in cook top hoods
Remove all flammable materials from around furnace
Make sure all insulation is in place around ducting (while you are at in look at floors and stemwall insulation)
Cover AC units
Check vapor barrier under house

Test all GFI plugs (kitchen & baths)
Check breakers in service panel for tripped breakers
Test smoke detectors and CO-2 detectors – replace batteries, if detectors are more than 10 years old they may need replacing
Buy a fire extinguisher

Drain gas from seasonal yard tools (I let them run till they are out of gas)
Stock up on ice melt
Spray WD 40 on shovels
Fire up snow blower and check
Prepare an emergency kit: lantern, flashlights, matches, phone #’s of utility companies, bottled water, freeze dried food, first aid kit, (etc)