Prepare for Winter Before It Arrives
Even though we are still enjoying warm weather and winter seems far away, now is a great time to begin preparing. If you do a bit at a time before winter hits the tasks are not at all overwhelming. So often, people wait until the last minute to take care of necessary duties. Worst yet, some people wait until snow or rain is pouring down to even begin thinking of what needs to be done. Safety should be a top priority. Assess the quality of your indoor air. You can easily create an indoor health hazard with poor quality air. If you have excessive dust or dirt, take steps to clean it up. Make sure your smoke detectors are in good working order. They can literally save your life. If you don't have detectors throughout your home, you need to make that a top priority on your "honey do" list. Better yet, don't wait for someone else to take care of this most important task, do it yourself as soon as possible. Have your fireplace inspected to insure it is safe to use. If your area permits you to burn during the winter, stock up on wood while the weather is pleasant. Secure vents, fans and air conditioners. Properly cover as recommended by the manufacturer. Remember to check both the inside and out. Make a list of any repairs as you go through the house. To help you determine where any leaks are, on the next windy day do a walk through to determine areas in need of repair. - Fix Doors and Windows
- Replace or add weather-stripping where needed.
- Winterize basement windows.
- Replace old windows with weather efficient windows.
- Have your furnace serviced before the winter rush hits. Many companies run specials before the season.
- Check for mold and algae within your home furnace. You'd be amazed at what can grow during the summer months. Although mold burns off it is distributed throughout your home.
- Stock up on furnace filters. It is better to have some on hand so you can easily replace throughout the winter.
- Use caulking to fix any leaky areas.
Locate all you winter supplies such as walkway shovel, ice melt, gloves, hats, scarves and anything else you will need when a storm hits. If you don't have these items buy them before a winter storm hits and stores run out. Make sure your snowplow is in good working order. A preseason equipment check up is advisable. By being prepared you will be able to share more time with your loved ones. Besides, you will probably be able to save on your energy bills as well. Copyright: © 2004 by Darlene Dipos Publishing Guidelines: You may publish my article in your newsletter, on your web site, or in your print publication provided you include the resource box at the end. Notification would be appreciated but is not required. About The Author Darlene Dipo is a member of the Distinctive Properties team, a unique personalized real estate agency serving the south end of the Salt Lake valley including Draper, Riverton and Sandy. The Distinctive Properties team offers a "boutique" experience and a personal relationship with each person they work with. Distinctive Properties offers relocation services throughout the United States. Visit www.distinctivepropertiesSLC.com for further information. dipo@aros.net
MORE RESOURCES:
|
Stores offer discounts to veteransRecord-SearchlightAlthough some businesses, including Lowe's Home Improvement, have long offered discounts to veterans, Dunlap said a lot more jumped on board after veterans ...and more » |
Google News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Air Sanders: Forget Electric, Go Air!
An air sander is a common air tool often overlooked by most people. If you already have an air compressor to run your impact wrench, you may consider purchasing an air sander instead of an electric model.
Securing Your Castle
In the world of today, we no longer employ the moat, drawbridge or 30 foot high walls as security devices. However, if we know the correct methods and devices to use, we can attain better security than those devices afforded.
Save Time & Money Doing Your Own Basic Electric Wiring
Hiring a professional electrician can be very expensive and is often the reason why people try doing their own basic electric wiring themselves.I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly results of these efforts and I have come to the conclusion that basic electrical wiring is not something anyone should do without proper guidance, tools and confidence.
Home Furnishings and Shelving
Its spring time and that means we start working on our homes. Cleaning, organizing, purchasing new things to spruce the place up are just some of the home furnishings we do.
Whats Underfoot? A Quick Guide to Patio Surfaces
Patios and terraces have always been popular outdoor spaces. Whether a Parisian courtyard or a rooftop alcove, only porches and sunrooms beat out these paved (or semi-paved) retreats in a recent survey of my readers as the most ideal outside living space.
The Techno-Witch and Magickal Appliances
My favourite episode of Bugs Bunny is the one where Bugs turns into a witch and says: "We ride vacuum cleaners now".It is true that the vacuum cleaner can be substituted for a broom to do a spell.
Rodent Proofing Your Home
It's that time of year where rats and mice are apt to enter our homes. Lets talk a bit about their abilities and senses first.
Three Types of Lighting for Room Remodeling
When remodeling a room, choosing the correct lighting is one of the most important considerations. Proper lighting sets the atmosphere of the room, creates a particular mood, or provides accent to an architectural style.
Choosing A New Floor
Is it time to give that tired kitchen floor a face lift? Are you looking for just the right finishing touch for your new living room? The floor you choose can brighten a dark room, make a small one appear larger, or set the mood and tone for the rest of your decorating. There are so many flooring options available on the market these days that you're biggest problem will be deciding which floor you like best! Here are a few suggestions to ease your decision process.
Planning For a New Deck
Part of the fun of a new deck is the planning! When you plan your deck, you can let your imagination run wild and add all kinds of fun features. As your planning process moves forward, you can whittle down your design to a more practical (and buildable) plan.
How to Troubleshoot Video Problems
Few things can be as frustrating as picture problems. You get your system all ready to go, flip the switch, and WHAM! One or more channels look terrible.
Tips To Improve The Quality Of Your Outdoor Space And Patio
It's easy to get overwhelmed trying to figure out just how to bring an outdoor room together to make it a peaceful spot to relax or enjoy quality time with friends and family. But if you think of it as yet another room to decorate and furnish, the space will come together more easily.
How to Install a New Toilet in 5 Easy Steps
If your toilet is old and in need of repairs, it is cheaper to replace it by installing a new one. This is quite easy to do and can be completed in an afternoon.
Your Building Your Dream Home, But Where Do You Start?
You have finally found the perfect lot, in the neighborhood of your choice, and at a price you can afford. Now you have to decide what type of house you want built.
Spring Chores at the Cabin
Whether you live in your cabin year round or it's been closed up for the winter, it's time for spring cleaning. It's hard to get motivated.
Making a Pen with Your New Wood Lathe
So you just purchased a wood lathe but do not know what kind of project you should start out with. As soon as the right amount of skill is obtained, beautiful pieces of woodwork can be created with a wood lathe.
How To Choose The Canvas For Your Awning
The main factor for the canvas for your awning, it's to choose to do in PVC, because will be light and malleable.Between their advantages we have the following ones:It's resistant to the UV raysAllows any colorThey possess some protection coatings, as the following:Not to allow the fire propagationWith blockade against UV rays (with great resistance against the effects of the ultraviolet rays that discolour along the time)Fungicides (addictive that avoid the formation of mould and stains)Non oxidizer, to avoid the appearance of iron stainsAddictive to avoid negative effects to the aesthetics and the brightness, that could damage the coating and to reduce the useful life of the canvas)A varnish layer or lacquer in the coating (the varnish is not only designated for protection of the canvas from the UV rays, but also improves the self-cleaning characteristics; one of the used material for that is the Tedlar).
A Healthy Home
Your home is your castle. You decide, possibly together with family members, what to make of it.
How To Choose Decorative, Recessed Locking Mailboxes
Do you need a decorative, quality, recessed locking mailboxfor your home? There is a large selection of mailboxes fromwhich to choose, and you may wonder which is the rightmailbox for you. A recessed locking mailbox is a perfectway to keep your mail safe from prying eyes, and can beinstalled on the exterior of your home or as part of afreestanding mailbox.
Acting As Your Own General Contractor When Building Your Dream Home
This article is intended for the DIY (Do It Yourself) home builder; however, it is very useful information for the new home buyer to understand what processes you can monitor even if you are not acting as the general contractor and hiring a general contractor. For the inexperienced DIY home builder, acting as a general contractor is one of the most stressful things anyone can undertake.
|
