Spring cleaning is normally something most people do, but probably only a few people understand what it is to winterize your house. It's a good strategy every fall, to examine the house and see if it is prepared to get through another winter. During fall it really is easier to check out the outside of the home, since the foliage is dying away and you can more easily see if shrubs are attached to the house. Clean off roots and vines attached to the siding, if not they may cause damage - even bricks are vulnerable.

Should they be no longer needed to do any watering, the hose pipe should all be emptied and rolled up to be put into storage for the winter. The water supply to faucets outside the house must be cut, and then these can dry out. If you are through with your patio furniture for the year, clean it up and afterwards store it in a dry spot. Any young trees that you have planted, you need to protect them with mulch, especially if it is their first winter. To allow for extra rainfall, you should clear away any drainage ditches that you have.

Fireplaces come to mind once the weather begins getting colder. Everybody normally requires a chimney sweep at the same time when a cold spell shows up, so call early to beat the rush. Who knows how the availability of firewood will be, so if you are going to need some, make an effort to locate some in plenty of time. Try outlying areas when it is convenient, where natives may sell firewood without the cost of advertising. No matter if you use a fireplace in winter, you should check all of your smoke alarms to make sure they are working. If you leave your Xmas lights set up for the whole year, check that the cords remain flexible. And presently is the the perfect time to get the storm windows installed. Hot weather dries out weather-stripping, therefore check if they need replacing.

The windows usually are seldom opened in winter, so it will be necessary to check the condition of the filters in the range hood. Perform a review of the ground-slope all around the residence, ensuring that it falls away from the walls. When water appears to drain into the basement, or the foundation, that can be bad news for your house. The first affect is wet rot, which ultimately leads to dry rot, and this is definitely something to be averted anywhere in your home. Regularly check out your home for signs of seepage.

Leaking cannot be kept away forever, so check the places where leaks most commonly occur, these being the roofing, the guttering, the downpipes and the interior plumbing. It's a given, but every one of the leaks must be repaired. Cover any external pipes, undoubtedly so if your house is older, and reduce drafts by placing a cover over air-conditioning units. Dust is more effortlessly noticed in the winter, so shampooing the carpets is recommended. End by cleaning the house windows.