If you own a
home it is likely to be the largest, most expensive investment you will make
and it’s important to keep it in good shape. Fall is well underway and winter
fast approaching. This is the best time make a couple small improvements or
fix-ups to be sure that the property is not damaged in windy, damp weather. In
fact it may be possible to save some money on energy and heating over the
winter months by making a few improvements around the house.
(Photo Credit: Better Homes and Gardens)
Replace light bulbs. This may sound a
little silly but the last thing you want to do in the holiday season is rack up
the electric bill. Get rid of incandescent light bulbs and replace them with
high-efficiency compact fluorescent light bulbs to save energy. Check with your
local electricity provider to see if there are rebates available for making the
switch. Why do it now? With less natural light and long evenings indoors,
lighting is used in the home far more than any other time of year.
Keep the warm air within. Carefully
inspect the caulking and seals around window frames to be sure there are no
gaps that may let chilly air into the home. Replace weather stripping around
doors including garage and side doors. If these steps seem a little more than
you can manage, perhaps just install drapes or curtains over each window. That layer
of fabric covering a window can do a lot to keep a room warm and cozy.
Check the furnace. When the weather
gets cold enough to turn on the heater it’s always a good idea to have a
professional come out to inspect the furnace and retune it if necessary. If
this simple, routine maintenance is not completed, the heater can end up
costing an exorbitant amount. This should be done once a year at the beginning
of heater season.
Check the roof. It’s important to check
the roof for leaks before you get hit with rain. You may be able to fix any
leaky patches yourself but if in doubt, always call a professional. Meanwhile
check the instillation in the attic to be sure it is keeping all that warm air
under the roof.
Clean the gutter. Get out the ladder
and remove any leaves or debris that traps the gutter wells and drain. This
afternoon cleanup project will allow water to flow smoothly off the roof without
landing in rough puddles along the flower beds or across the front entry way.
Winterize the plumbing. Call out a
plumber to winterize any exterior faucets or sprinkler systems. If left without
this essential fix, freezing temperatures can cause these to freeze and burst.
If all else fails, turn off the water supply to these faucets and drain the hoses
of water when you anticipate freezing weather.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Sacramento
employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10
trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the
Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Our award winning services include
full service moving and packing services and we also sells boxes and packing
supplies.
With
comments or questions contact Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento
office of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK at 916-852-7411 or contact us
here.
No comments:
Post a Comment