Good Lifestyle

The snow can be pretty when it falls on the floor, but when it comes to your home, a country of winter wonders can actually cause a lot of damage if you are not prepared. From the ice that comes with the water, it leaves behind it, there are many possibilities of snow to wreak havoc on your home.Winter. To help you prepare for the cold, we talked to the experts to see what the maintenance tasks of the winter home must absolutely do before the first big snowfall of the season.

Image: thefirst snow Slips on you earlier than expected and you wake up in a completely covered courtyard. The only thing you want to have been ready before your snow breath is your snowblower.

"The snow has already made an appearance in various areas of the US, which means [you should have] your winter snow breath ready," according to the benefits toSTA-BIL, a company specializing in the manufacture of storage fuel stabilizer. "Some easy things that you can do to keep your snowblower ready to tackle winter overwhelming include checking your ignition candle of the year, acclimating your machine at external temperatures during the Less five to ten minutes before starting and using an additive from the fuel system to discourage the separation of the phase and ensure the functionality of your snowblower throughout the season. "

During the winter months, you often have to go to work or take children to school. The winter breaks do not last eternally, and during these periods, you must be able to increase the snow.Paul O'Connor, CEO ofPickleRecommends, recommends that the owners make sure their "shovels are in good working order" and they have "a solid rock salt reserve by hand". Sprinkling This salt on your driveway and bridges before all snowfall can help prevent the snow from sticking to these areas - and a good shovel will end the work of everything that has managed to succeed.

The maintenance of the winter house outside your home is just as important as the work you do inside. According toPhil dwyer, Turf Heal Scientist forScottsMiracle-Gro, time before the first snowfall is optimal forFertilize your lawn.

"Not only does the fertilization of your lawn in the fall contributes to both the health and beauty of your lawn, but the fall is also the ideal time to give your lawn the nutrients he needs for a better lawn Now and next spring, because the fall is peak it's time for your lawn to start storing nutrients and develop a lot of strong roots, "he says." Fertilizer of the autumn lawn will help to rejuvenate and Repair your lawn, give roots a pre-winter nutrient boost and make a good start in the spring with a greener lawn. "

When snow comes, we often take a large part of our outdoor equipment until spring. But if we do not properly keep these things in the winter, they become practically unusable in the spring.Jennifer Sutton, founder ofAnd so well-beingsaid she "learned it hard" that you should break down your exterior hoses before the temperature drop. Otherwise, you could find yourself as it, with a flooded basement because of the water that hangs inside the pipe and made it light.

Store your outdoor equipment properly does not stop at your hoses. The advantages of STA-BIL also say it is extremely important to store your electrical tools in your garage or shed so you can avoid "running in maintenance and costs" in the spring.

"You should consider freeing all debris and accumulations from your outdoor power equipment before retiring for the season", they say. "Cleaning the grass and mud and sharpening your tools helps with a smooth transition in the spring and decreases any chance of losing cutting performance on your tools. Torne blades and accumulation can make a Even more tedious experience next season. "

The cold air can slip into your home in different ways, including ways not to have realized. According toWendy Gonzalez, a veteran interior designer, you should look at the points of sale on your exterior walls. If it is not isolated correctly, which is common in older homes, electric outlets and light switching boxes on these walls can allow cold air to infiltrate in virtually not detected . Gonzalez says that his winter return piracy is to put an insulation on all these points of sale, which she finds "really helps to reduce the filtering of the mists".

The major goal of most owners is to heat their homes in winterwithout Raise their heating costs exponentially. Many owners may not realize that they can use theirceiling fan Just do that.

"A known little tour consists in reversing the rotation of your fan," saysNoah Myint, a partner withVogue Houses. If you turn your blades to turn clockwise (rather than in the opposite direction of the needles of a watch in summer), you will be "pushing hot air down, instead of shooting hot air. " And this, in turn will help you warm your house so you do not have to manage your expensive heater.

With the light of the sun limited during the winter, we are confronted with a real danger if we walk in our home without optimal lighting.Richelle dellaco-founder ofJoint ventilation, suggests that its customers "illuminate dark areas around [their] house with dawn with twilight lights" who will let them "feel safer and secure" during these months. This will also help prevent slides or falls on incoming snow and ice, which could cause major injuries.

The number one cause of the American power outages is a bad weather, according to theNational Oceans and Atmosphere Administration. And the severe weather is too common in winter, with the possibility of snow and ice storms. The advantages toTime of heating and air conditioning Recommend a meeting with a professional before winter happens to implement overvoltage protection in your home, noting that "an overvoltage protector of the entire home can prevent your electronic devices from the next lighting line of the lighting or the power line ". "And, as we all know, snowstorms have the ability to remove many power lines.

Although a power failure can damage any electrical system without overvoltage protection, you also want to simply check your electrical system for general problems that may occur.

"The winter months are cold and it stays dark for longer," saysDignified mate, Owner ofTwo inspection services, LLC. "The power system and power failures are certainly unwanted situations. The main panel must be checked for a bulk connection and find wires that have poor insulation. Check electrical outlets and extension cords with systems. of heating."

Floods in your home isnever Ideal, but it is particularly unwanted in the winter months when using your home as a refuge of freezing elements outside. And with snow and ice, floods are very possible.

"The winter months can leave your home more likely to flood, so it's intelligent to take preventive measures," saidLaura Schmitz, a home security specialist forPoint of view. "The installation of a flood sensor or two in the basement and the washbasins, toilets and bathtubs nearby will ensure that you are alerted at any time in excess water starts to meet in your home . "

Schmitz also recommends that the owners invest in aintelligent thermostat Before winter rolling in. "A smart thermostat helps owners and tenants save on energy costs during the winter time more extreme." Indeed, many intelligent thermostats automatically enter a power saving mode when nobody is at home, and also allows you to create heating schedules, control your domestic temperature remotely and maintain efficient temperatures in energy at home. "

Greg AntonioliPresident ofResidential FirstCall, warns the owners that "mold and mold tend to build [in air ducts] during wet summer months when there could be condensation in the cooling system". So, as the summer months end and the colder days start rolling, it is important to clean your air ducts. You will often use your air ducts during the winter when your heating system breaths, and it is dangerous to have a mold and a mold flowing in your air.

"Since you probably open the windows less in winter and use a little more natural gas, make sure the air of your home remains clean with a carbon monoxide detector," says Schmitz. If you already have a carbon monoxide detector, run routine tests to make sure it works properly before the winter. And if you had your yours for a moment, consider replacing it.

Just as you are looking for a shelter during the coldest months, then do some pests and at home! "Windows are an easy access point, so we recommend fixing holes in window screens or moldings," saysBrad Leahy, Owner ofBOG. Pest control. "Keep the door sweeps and closed garages. And if you notice that the rubber on your sweeping of your door has been toughd and is a little more fragile, it's time to change change. Make sure you also make sure Check the entry points for cables and power lines. All these avenues are easy for spiders, cockroaches and ants to make their way. "

Do it, you will use your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC)a lot in winter. If you do not get it in advance, you only do more problems for yourself in the future.

"Every owner should have his CVC system maintained at least twice a year, once before the hot weather approach and once before it starts to be cold," says "Aydra Allen, Management of the member forECA GAINEWORKS. "During autumn or winter maintenance, your heating system must be cleaned (depending on the type of system you need to need to be well dumb), filters must be changed and a CVC technician should give your system a complete inspection. If you avoid maintaining your system that you are likely to pay a much higher labor cost for repairs and services because winter is usually slower for companies heating, which means they could raise their prices. "

Emunenel Fisher, founder ofEcho roof of the valley, says all the owners should make it a priority to check their roof and their gutters before winter.

"When it snows, the heavy weight and moisture can cause leaks in the house. Nobody wants to cross a winter without a safe roof," he says. "The inspection of missing shingles, loose nails or the Foam growth will help you estimate the current state of your roof. This is an easy task, and some local businesses in your community can even offer this service for free as we. "