September is the time homeowners work on making their homes snug and tight for the cold weather ahead. As our attention turns to the indoors, there are still a few maintenance items that need taking care of outside, to keep your home cosy this winter:
Gutters are crucial to the good health of your roofing system. Have them thoroughly cleaned after the last leaves have fallen, and repair any splits or broken hangers. Check that gutters are leak-free and draining properly (and away from your home's founda?tion) by running a garden hose in the gutter and watching the water flow.
Take a close look around soffits, fascia, and other points of entry for nesting animals. Check for blockage of attic louvers by wasp's nests and put sheet metal, wire screen or wood over any open?ings, including under the eaves, to pre?vent animals from moving in.
Book a furnace cleaning and safety check this month, so your heating system is ready to go at the flick of a switch.
Have your chimney cleaned before the heating season begins. A professional can trouble-shoot potential fire hazards, clear out nests or obstructions and make sure that the flue and liner is in good repair.
Make sure your fireplace is in safe working order. Check that the damper opens and closes smoothly and fits properly, to prevent heat loss. Check inside the fireplace to make sure no bricks are loose or broken.
Replace window screens with storm windows.
Check that doors, windows and skylights close tightly; repair or replace weather stripping, as needed. Do the draft test: hold a lit candle and run it along the seams of doors and windows. A flickering flame means your heating dollars are going out the window. Check the bottoms of doors for a snug threshold seal or door sweep. Replace door weather stripping if required. You will notice the difference on your heating bill this winter.
Check to see that bathroom exhaust fans and range hoods are operating properly. If possible, confirm that the vent is doing its job by observing the outside vent hood (the exterior damper should be held open by the airflow).
Have carpets cleaned to clean away the grime from summer traffic and improve indoor air quality during the winter months.
Since heating is the largest energy user in most homes, wasted heat means a lot of wasted energy. In many homes, 20% of all heat loss is through leaks and poor ventilation.
Draftproofing your home is one of the fastest payback home heating improvements you can make. Not only is there immediate savings on your energy bills year round, you will also realize payback in increased home comfort.
Having a professional contractor inspect your home's caulking, weather stripping and insulation is the first step in reducing air leaks in your house.
Wherever you feel cold air coming in, you have a leak, and warm air will escape through the same gap. Drafts are big energy wasters that inflate your bills and make your home less comfortable than it could be. Sealing the gaps and cracks with caulking and weather stripping is one of the most cost-effective steps you can take to keep the heat inside your home, reducing heat loss by up to 10%.
Here is a breakdown of the most common sources of air leakage in the average home:
25% - Basement sill plate (where the wood frame meets the foundation)
20% - Exterior electrical outlets
13% - Windows
13% - Pipe and wire entrances
10% - Vents
7% - Baseboards, light fixtures, electrical outlets and attic hatches
6% - Exterior doors
6% - Fireplaces
Taking the time to repair and replace the weather stripping and caulking around these areas will pay off this winter.
Author Resource:
For more home renovation and Kitchen Renovations Tips visit the official Homeservice Club website
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