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Winter Prep Checklist – Fall is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful times of year in Maine. This year’s weather has been mild, but we know cold weather is on the way. The winter months demand a lot from our homes – so it’s important to use the nice weather this fall to prepare for the winter months ahead.
Replace your heating system filter with a new one before the heating season begins. Once heat is running steadily, replace filters every 30-60 days, depending on use and age of system.
The air passing through your vents and ductwork bring along a lot of dust and debris with it. Clean your vents and air ducts annually to remove particles that could blow into your home when you turn on your heating system. This will keep your home and indoor air quality cleaner.
We know Mainers wait as long as possible before turning on the heat, BUT there are very good reasons to turn your heat on sooner rather than later – at least for a few minutes. Make sure everything is running properly before it’s freezing cold out, so turn on your heat and let it run for a good 10-15 minutes. Test each thermostat/zone to make sure your system is working properly throughout the house. If you find something now, you have time to schedule a repair when it’s safer and more convenient – heating emergencies are no fun!
Give your fireplace a good cleaning and inspect all the interior areas to be sure they are clear of any buildup or debris.
You should have your chimney inspected and cleaned annually if you also burn wood, and every few years if it’s used just to exhaust heating systems.
This may not sound like a heating or plumbing chore, but flooded basements and rotting framework don’t do those systems any favors. We want your home and basement to stay dry so clean your gutters of leaves and other debris after the last of the leaves fall. This prevents clogging and allows rains and melting snow to drain away from your home properly.
Disconnect your hose, drain it, and put it away for the winter. If you have interior shut off valves for your outdoor plumbing, turn off interior shutoff valves to all of your outdoor plumbing (faucets, spigots, sprinklers) now. Drain any water from the outside that may be left in the pipe.
If you don’t have interior shutoffs, first make sure outside plumbing fixtures aren’t dripping or leaking. If you notice any leaks coming from your hose spout, get them repaired now. When it freezes, the water pressure in these pipes will expand and the pressure will crack the pipes. It doesn’t matter if the pipe is made of plastic, copper or steel. Even the tiniest crack can cause a serious burst pipe which will lead to flooding and devastating damages.
It’s not a bad idea to cover outside faucets. A faucet insulation kit can be purchased at many hardware stores, home centers or online.
Be sure to have your heating system inspected and cleaned professionally every year. Your trained technician will make sure everything is set and running correctly, and that your unit is operating at top efficiency. Regular maintenance helps your system run more smoothly, evenly, and last longer. It prevents breakdowns and emergency repairs. It’s a small annual cost that can head off much bigger expenses!
We hope you will CONTACT GELINAS HVAC for all your heating and plumbing system needs – we’re here to help!