For WinterPreparing Your Home

One of the many reasons people live in this area is to experience its distinct change of seasons. And as we say goodbye to fall and prepare to welcome winter, with its sub-zero temperatures, cold winds, and—dare we say it—snow, there are a number of things you can check around your home to ensure a warm and safe winter for your family.

Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly by holding down the “test” button. You should change the batteries in both types of detectors when you change your clocks for daylight savings time. Smoke detectors should be replaced every ten years, and carbon monoxide detectors should be replaced every two to seven years depending on the unit.

Check your sump pump hoses

Before the outdoor temperature stays consistently below freezing, you should remove the flexible discharge sump hose to prevent freeze up. If you have a waiver from your city, now is the time to divert sump discharge indoors.

Disconnect outdoor garden hoses

Your garden hose will freeze if you leave it connected in the winter, especially if there is water inside the hose. When your garden hose freezes, the expansion of the water inside your hose can cause holes to form and weaken the lining of your hose. Additionally, a frozen, connected garden hose can eventually lead to a ruptured pipe inside your home.

Check outside faucets to make sure they are not dripping

If you do find any leaks or drips, repair or replace the fixture before the temperature drops to freezing. Water dripping, no matter how slowly, can block up and freeze in the pipe or fixture. Although a frozen outdoor faucet may not be apparent until the next season, it may be possible to minimize the damage by repairing the leak before the winter.

Have your furnace serviced by a professional

All furnace manufacturers recommend annual inspections and maintenance by a qualified technician. Typically, the service technician will check all electrical connections and voltages as well as clean the major furnace components to ensure that your heating system is running at peak operating efficiency. All filters will be inspected and changed as needed. Most importantly, however, the technician will check all the operational controls for safety, giving you peace of mind that they are working properly.

Central air conditioners do not need to be covered

There is no need to cover your central air conditioner during the winter months. An uncovered unit allows air to flow through the unit so moisture doesn’t build up. When air cannot flow through condensation can occur, resulting in rust and other deterioration. In addition, this equipment is designed to work outdoors, exposed to heat, cold, wind, rain, snow and other elements.

Keep furnace vents and gas meters clear of snow and ice

Keep your furnace intake and exhaust vents clear of snow and ice to prevent build-up of carbon monoxide inside your home. Blocked vents can affect the performance of the furnace, which may not run properly or at all if these vents are blocked.

Your outdoor gas meter is designed to withstand winter weather conditions, but heavy or hard-packed snow and ice can present a safety hazard. An icy buildup caused by water leaking from a gutter, freezing rain or melting piled snow could damage its fittings and pipes causing gas leaks. It can also impede its function of controlling the gas pressure, which could lead to serious risks.

you questions regarding any of this information, call the professionals at Laney’s Plumbing, Heating, and Electrical at 701-237-0543, for expert advice on completing these tasks.