It won’t be long before we see snow flurries or possibly a storm. Be proactive this year and winterize your home, preventing the havoc it can wreak on our house and yard. Here are five projects you should put on your to-do list to get your home ready for winter.
1. Clean out the gutters. Once all the leaves have come down, clean the drain all at once. In Wisconsin, clogged gutters stop water from draining, increasing the chance for ice dams. Ice dams cause water to pool and, after some time, seep into the home.
2. Consider energy-efficiency for your home. Add insulation, caulk around windows and doors, and install new storm windows, reducing your heating costs. If your house has enough sun and space, consider solar panels, which are a great way to save energy costs. Even homes in northern climates like Wisconsin get enough sunlight to make solar energy systems effective.
3. Schedule a chimney sweep. A clean chimney will help create a safer operation of your system during the heating system. Sweeps remove soot, blockages, and built-up creosote from your smokestack. A good rule is that if you have 40 to 50 fires a year, usually three times a week, you should clean it annually.
4. Schedule a tree service. Winter tree catastrophe is preventable if you get a certified arborist to assess your yard to look for deteriorating or damaged trees. These precarious limbs may come down in the next storm, causing damage to your property or landscaping.
5. Install a programmable thermostat. Most families keep a regular schedule, meaning family members come and go at regular times each day. For example, you can preset the thermostat to automatically turn on the heat (or raise the heat) in the morning as everyone is getting ready for their job or school, and then lower the heat once everyone has left the house.
Let E-Z Window Cleaning speed up your fall chore list in no time. Besides cleaning windows, we offer gutter cleaning services and chandelier and light fixture cleaning. Call us at Waukesha (262) 349-9493, Burlington (262) 349-9411, or Mequon (262) 349-9284.
