Weather takes its toll, impacting a home’s structure and occupants. Wood deteriorates. Water, wind and sun damage roofs. Moisture seeps into basements. Paint and caulk peel. Heating and cooling systems, water heaters and appliances wear out. And snow and ice are especially hard on houses. As a homeowner, you want to protect your greatest asset and ensure your family stays safe and comfortable throughout the year. Here are some easy tips to prepare your home for the coming winter season.

Heating System

Schedule an appointment with a heating and cooling professional to get your furnace inspected and serviced for the coming heating season. If you have a furnace, check and replace your filter on a schedule recommended by the manufacturer. 

If you have a programmable thermostat, set to “heating only” mode and review your heating schedule so that you’ll be prepared when the temperatures drop. (Insert plug for Nests?)

Radon

Have you checked your radon level? After smoking, radon is the next leading cause of lung cancer. Elevated radon levels are very common throughout the Northwest. Fall is a good time to test, as windows and doors stay shut more when the weather cools down.

Vents and ceiling fans

Bathroom fans collect dust and need periodic cleaning. Remove the cover, vacuum out any dust, and spray any moving parts with silicone lubricant. 

Kitchen range hoods and fans become soiled quickly from cooking, which can shorten the life of the fan. Clean all surfaces and remove and clean the range hood grease filter by washing it in hot, soapy water. Turn the circuit breaker off and clean the fan blades too. 

Clean dust off ceiling fan blades without a ladder by wrapping a paint roller in a dryer sheet or cleaning cloth secured with rubber bands. 

Refrigerator 

Refrigerators work by extracting the heat inside of the fridge and pushing it out through condenser coils on the bottom or on the back of the refrigerator. When dust builds up, the refrigerator motor works harder, wasting energy. Turn off the power to the fridge, then vacuum the coils with a brush attachment to remove dust. 

Hot Water Heater 

Sediments shorten the life of a water heater and raise your energy bills, so it’s a good idea to drain the water heater each year to remove sediment from the tank. More at wikihow.com/Flush-a-Water-Heater 

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors 

Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Change batteries and test that each unit is working. Replace every ten years or on the printed “replace by” date on the unit. As a minimum, you should have a detector in every bedroom, in all hallways outside bedroom areas, and on each floor. 

Inspect and clean gutters 

After leaves have fallen, clean your gutters of leaves and debris. Inspect the condition of gutters and downspouts. Tighten fasteners and replace worn or damaged parts. Where downspouts meet the ground, they should extend at least 5 feet away from your house; if they don’t, add low-cost downspout extensions sold at most home improvement stores. Popular Mechanics recommends a unique solution to cleaning gutters that keeps you off ladders or the roof: Make your own high-pressure cleaning wand out of PVC pipe and attach it to your house. Get the details at http://bit.ly/gutter-wand

Check the roof 

Stay safe and use binoculars to inspect your roof from the ground If possible. Look for damage on the shingles or flashing. Look for excessive moss growth. Call a professional to replace missing shingles or damaged areas. 

Inspect your Fireplace and Chimney 

Look at chimney exteriors for missing or discolored mortar, damaged bricks, extensive moss, or leaning. A weakened chimney can allow water into the home, even if the roof and flashing are in good condition. If you see cracked or missing bricks and mortar, schedule a professional fireplace and chimney inspection. A chimney and fireplace servicing contractor can repair bricks and mortar and install a chimney cap to prevent birds from entering and nesting in the chimney as well as preventing rain water from entering. From the interior, use a flashlight to look up the flue. Make sure the damper opens and closes, and check that the flue is free of birds’ nests and other obstructions. You should see daylight at the top of the chimney.

Prep hoses, sprinklers and outdoor faucets 

Disconnect hoses to prevent freezing and damaging the pipes just inside the walls. Do this early to prepare for sudden cold snaps. Extend the life of garden hoses by draining and storing them in a shed or garage.