Now is the perfect time to begin getting your home ready for those cold winter months ahead. As many of you know and potentially have experience with; cold weather can have a large effect on your home’s plumbing and heating system. If not prepared you run the risk of frozen pipes, burst pipes, and potentially loss of heat. These problems can be easily diverted with the right preparedness and will keep that money in your pocket (perhaps for that little ski trip you have planned). Here at Copper Mechanical Ltd we have organized a fall maintenance checklist for you homeowners to help get your home in winter tip top shape!
- Turn off and drain your garden hose (yes, the one in the garage too!) and any sprinkler systems. That means also blowing out any leftover water in the underground lines. This if left can do damage to the sensitive components that make up your system, and hey, nobody wants to pay to fix that. If you need help with this contact us at Copper Mechanical, a small fee is better than a large one. If you are unsure where your shut off is for your sprinkler or hose? Give us a call and we can talk you through it.
- Clean your gutters with those last fallen leaves and take a peak at your sump pump and drains (if you have one; if your foundation lies high enough above the water table you may not have one). Make sure there are no blockages and that its functioning properly. Trust me you do not want to deal with the aftermath of a snow melt with a non functioning sump pump or after a heavy rainfall as a homeowner.
- If you have a well, give it a good inspection, looking for any cracks or damage. You do not want to be stuck without water if it turns out your well is frozen.
- Make sure your waterlines are properly insulated to avoid freezing or bursting. If you have a crawl space, close up the vents and stuff insulation over the openings, make sure that any pipes that run alongside outer walls are well insulated. Fill in any cracks to avoid even an ounce of cold air entering.
- Inspect and clean your humidifier, water heater, and fireplaces to ensure each unit is working properly. If you are not sure what to look for contact us today and we can help you out.
- Consider upgrading to a programmable thermostat. If you are planning on travelling someplace warm during the winter, a programmable thermostat can help keep your home at the correct temperature during the day and night to save on energy costs and keep your home comfortable.
- Change batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. You never know when you might need them, so make sure they are all in good working order!
- Fix any waterline leaks you are aware of. You can usually spot these from water marks on your ceiling. It is also a good idea to inspect your water pump, water softener, iron filter, water heater and pressure tank to ensure nothing is leaking around these units either. If you are not sure where to start, contact us today and we can help you out!
Start your fall maintenance checklist today before you forget! Sometimes winter can strike early and you’ll be unexpectedly caught in the cold. The last thing you want is for a burst pipe or falling gutters to ruin an otherwise cozy winter day.
Don’t have time to complete your checklist? Call us at Copper Mechanical Ltd for help!
See our checklist below to save to your phone or computer.
