Conference 7.286::home_work

396.0. "Winterizing your home" by SMURF::WALTERS () Mon Sep 12 1994 16:43

    I didn't find any books which contained this "winterizing"
    checklist, so I culled the following from this notesfile and added the
    suggestions received so far.
    
    This may be of some use to people moving into the North, or first-time
    buyers in the North.
    
    An other suggestions are welcome, then I'll rework it into a calendar
    for scheduling the tasks and repost it here.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Colin

    
Snowstorms

	Ensure snow and ice removal tools are ready in practical
        locations.

	Service snowblowers early, before the service centres
        are overloaded.  Check engine oil and machine operation.
	Buy spare shear pins.

	Buy gas and additives for snowblower or tractor.

	Phone snow clearing service company to confirm that
	their records/contracts are correct.

	Clear a path to utility meters, otherwise you may
        get an inflated estimate bill.

	If you use a different mailbox for snow, get it ready.

Health & Safety

	Plan your emergency fire evacuation route around possible
        snow obstructions.

	Test fire alarms

	If you have wood fires or use candles, have a fire blanket
	and extinguisher on hand.

	Check and restock the first aid kit

	Restock on medicines for winter ailments.

	Have a supply of bottled drinking water in the event of
	pump or contamination problems.
       
Deicing

	Buy deicing materials for driveways and cars.  In severe
        winters stocks tend to run low, so consider laying in
        adequate supplies.

	Put sand, scrapers and brushes in the car, and a snow shovel
	if you have the room. (If you put in salt, ensure it is in
	an airtight sealed container)

	Locate deicers in accessible places.  If you have a steep
        drive, put some salt and sand at the foot of the drive
        for when you arrive home late.

	Check operation of icedam heater cables with continuity
	meter.

	Prepare a kit for clearing melt water from the Garage floor.
	Remove items that may be damaged by water
 
	Consider treating concrete floors with water repellent to
	prevent salt damage (e.g. Thompsons Water Seal)

	Patch driveways and seal cracks.  (Read the notes on the
	great "should I paint my drive debate")

Heating

	Order oil or kerosene when fuel costs are low.

	Get the chimney checked and swept if necessary.  Check
	power vent operation and dampers.

        Change filters.
    
	Service the furnace if required, check pilots and ignitions.
	Ensure that air vents are unobstructed and that summer junk
        has not piled up around the furnace.

	Check that volatile flammable materials are sealed and stored
        away from the furnace.

	Test run the furnace/elec heating and check operation of
        thermostats.

    	Check humidifier, replace wick, get bacterial chemicals.
    
	Buy a small supply of wood if you have a fireplace or woodstove
        but normally heat by oil or gas.

	Stack wood supplies in locations that are accessible in snow, but
        remember that there may be insect pests in the wood whan stacking
        wood indoors.

General House Weatherproofing

        Cover the air conditioner & remove window air conditioners.
    
        Check weatherstripping for wear & tear, adjust draft excluders.
    
	Check that gutters downspouts and and drains are clear
        (after leaves have finished falling.)

	Eyeball the roof, chimneys and cladding for damage and fix
        where necessary

	Replace door screens with storm glass

	Check all storm windows for correct operation.

	Go in the attic and check insulation and ventilation.
	replace any insulation that was removed to facilitate
	summer ventilation.  Ensure that nothing is placed
	directly on the insulation.  (Warm air leaks from below
        will condenses on the underside, dripping moisture on to
        the insualtion.) 
 
	Check all exposed pipework for insulation.

	Check that cutoff valves are not corroded open and that
	valve seals are good.

	Prepare a cleanup kit for burst pipes, and check or
	buy an emergency repair kit.  (Hose clamps, hose,
	epoxy sealer, sheet rubber, spare pipe, pressure
        connectors.)

Yard (Most garden books have a list of fall tasks)

	Take in patio furniture.

	Disconnect garden hoses and drain sillcocks, leaving the
        faucet open.  Shut down irrigation systems in accordance
	with manufacturers instructions.

	Winterize the lawnmower engine as described in manufacturers
        instructions.

	Prepare site for leaves

	Visually check trees for dead limbs that might fall in storms
        or under snow load.

	Check fence posts for rot (high winds might blow down fences).
        (Check fieldstone wals for loose rocks?)
    
        Check outside lighting & get spare lamps.
    
Power

	Top up charge the car battery and spare batteries

	Buy new batteries for flashlights and portable radios
	or CBs. (Consider a weather radio for safety bulletins)

	Consider getting a safety oil lamp instead of candles
	because of the fire hazard.

	Have a food supply that does not require heating, or
        plan on alternative method of cooking.  (baby's
        bottle may be the only thing you really have to heat.

	Keep vacuum flasks/jugs ready to store some hot drinking
        water in the event of storm warnings.


Recreation

	Buy a few new books.

	Get a few new games for children.

	Check winter clothing, boots and sports equipment still
        fits and is serviceable.  Things like snowsuits tend to
	disappear from shops during fall

    

You also need to have a supply of water available that isn't necessarily potable
for flushing toilets in case of power failure.  Of course, that is a year round
necessity if you have a well pump.

Elaine

    
    Turns out that ASHI publishes a free brochure on this.  Send a
    stamped, self-addressed business size envelope to:
    
    	Maintaining Your Home
    	ASHI West Algonquin Road
    	Suite 326, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
    
    regards,
    
    Colin