how to make your home winter-proof in three easy steps

How to Make Your Home Winter-Proof in Three Easy Steps


The winter weather can be particularly harsh on a home; this is why you need to do all the necessary steps to ensure that your house is fully prepared for winter. Not only will this protect you and your family from harsh elements, but it will also save you a significant

amount of money in the long run.

One of the most important parts of the house that you need to consider is your chimney. Most people overlook their chimneys and end up regretting that by the time the snow

and the blizzards come storming in.

PART 1How to Prepare Your Chimney

for the Winter Weather


How to Prepare Your Chimney for the Winter Weather

FIRST THINGS FIRST:Schedule a Chimney Inspection

Your fireplace will be the most used during winter, so if you want it running in peak performance, you have to make sure your chimney is in great condition. Even for those homes without a fireplace, the chimney is responsible for letting out all the bad stuff that is let out by the heating system.

Before you start cleaning your chimney, it is a good idea to have it checked first. After all, what good will it do when your chimney doesn’t even work? An inspection should be done at least once a year. Start with a Level 1 inspectionyes there are different levelswhere the contractor performs a basic check to make sure nothing is obstructing the passageway and that it is working properly.



Annual cleaning is important because deposits like soot and creosote in the chimney are highly flammable and could cause a chimney fire. If you want to go the DIY route, make sure you do the following before you start the cleaning process.

○ To check whether it is ready for cleaning, scrape the deposits on the side of the chimney. If it is thicker than 1/8 inch, then it is time for some cleaning.

○ Make sure there are no birds, raccoons or squirrels inside.

○ Measure the flue to know how long the cleaning brush and rope needs to be.

○ Buy the cleaning supplies such as:

• Brush and brush extension pipes • Small wire brush • Drop cloth • Ladder • Broom and dustpan • Dust mask • Goggles

Get Your Chimney Cleaned



Take Note of AnythingOut of the Ordinary

As a homeowner you know when your chimney is doing fine and when it seems like it is havingproblems doing what it was built for. Look out for any sudden drafts or odd smells in your chimney. Do not count out any abnormalities and make sure you tell your chimney inspector about your observations.

Don’t Forget to Close the Damper

Warm Air Sneaks Out

Cold Air Sneaks In

Most people forget to close their dampers and unintentionally let in cold drafts, which could double the efforts of your heating system. This is not good especially during winter, so do yourself a favor and make it habit to close the damper when the fireplace is not in use. It will save you money and make your house more comfortable for you and your family.



Check for Possible Leaksand Water Damage

Most chimney problems are associated with another area of the house, particularly the roof. It would be an excellent move to check whether your roof is leak-free and if the chimney is securely attached to it.

Part 2 is all about prepping your furnace for winter. You will learn all the simple yet necessary things you need to do to keep your home getting enough heat to warm you and your family throughout winter.


Winter is harsh on homes. It is the season we all prepare for, from upgrading windows and doors to sealing all gaps and holes to prevent cold drafts from entering your home. Chimneys are crucial to the performance of your fireplace and heating system, so it is important that they are well-maintained and ready for winter.

PART 2Preparing Your Furnace for a

Warmer Winter


Preparing Your Furnace for a Warmer Winter

Now we move on to another essential element of a house, which is the furnace. Your furnace and heater service will protect you from freezing when the temperature starts to drop. Without a furnace, of course, winter will be very uncomfortable for you and your family. Here are some tips on how to ensure your furnace is functioning well this winter.

Start with an Inspection

Rule of thumb is to have your furnace checked every other year to determine whether it needs repair or if it is time for a replacement.



Hire a Professional FurnaceCleaning Company

Most furnace cleaners get busy right before winter starts, so if you want the furnace cleaned professionally, make sure you set an appointment at least a month or two ahead. Have your blower, motor, and filter system cleaned. Most furnace systems fail due to accumulation of dirt, so clean it regularly.

All parts of your heating system should be clean and working correctly in order to keep your home warm. You need to oil your furnace blower at least once every year. There should be no noises when you start it.

Oil the Furnace Blower



Replace the Air Filter Whenever Necessary

Unlike furnace inspection, replacing an air filter needs to happen more often. The recommended interval is every two to three months, but this depends on where the house is situated and the kind of heating system that is installed. In order for the heaters to work properly, the filters should remain dust- and debris-free. You can also stock up on furnace filters months in advance to get them at a discount.


Winter is here and you need to be ready for the unforgiving weather that will test the strength of your home. Countless homeowners are already winter-proofing their homes, so there is no reason for you to do the same. The first two parts of this ebook have already discussed two of the three essential ways you can make your home ready for all that snow, ice, chilly winds, and extremely low temperatures, which are: (1) preparing the

chimney and (2) cleaning your furnace.

PART 3How to Change Your

Furnace Filters


How to Change Your Furnace Filters

The last article ended on the importance of frequently changing your furnace filters to ensure that your furnace systems stays up and running while snow is piling on top of your roof and around your house. Now we move on to showing you how you can change your furnace filters regularly.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step #1: Remove the vent cover. Find the intake, which is that area in your wall, floor, or ceiling where the hot or cold air comes out. You may then remove the vent cover. If your house has no intake, go straight to your furnace and you will see the filter there instead.

Step #2: Take note of the direction of the arrows in the filter. Pay attention to the direction of the arrows on the sides of the furnace filter, as filters are usually designed to filter the air in one uniform direction. This is to prevent the filters from collapsing or falling apart when they do their job. If there are no arrows, then it means it can go either way and would not matter much.


How to Change Your Furnace Filters

Step #3: Remove the filter from its location and carefully place it straight into a garbage bag or can. Avoid spreading the dust and other elements or particles trapped in the filter.

Step #4: Install the replacement filter. Again, look at the direction of the arrows so you know that it is facing the same way as the old filter. If you do not have an intake, then the direction should be where the arrow points to, which is usually towards the blower motor. You want it to face in the same direction of the wind, not against.

Step #5: Put the vent cover back. Make sure any clips that secure the filter are also put back on.

That’s it! After that you can replace it again in two or three months. After doing everything, from cleaning your chimney to replacing your furnace filters, you are well on your way to having a comfortable, warm, and hassle-free winter!


ALL AMERICAN HOME SERVICES3075 PS Business Center Dr Woodbridge, VA 22192

703-492-5815www. AllAmericanRoofs.com

http://www.allamericanroofs.com/

how to make your home winter-proof in three easy steps

Documents

chimney cleanedhow

chimney inspector

chimney doesnt

home winterproof

winter weathertake

winter weatherhow

winter weatherannual

cleaning brush