Your Winter Maintenance Checklist to Prevent Fire and Water Damage

You better prepare yourself because winter is coming, whether you are prepared or not. So why not prepare yourself? You may have observed a drop in temperature already, or you might not, depending on your location. However, if you have, it is advisable to begin planning for it now. It’s a perfect time for us to start thinking about the colder months ahead when hot summer days fall victim to chilly fall temperatures, particularly as weather extremes become more common throughout the world.

Preparing for home safety during winters may take some time, but it will be well worth it. Even some of the most important actions are also basic and free. Make a winter maintenance checklist with our following maintenance, renovation, and repair ideas so you can stay nice and cozy on those frigid days.

Check For Air or Water Leakages

Drafts and leakages penetrating through cracks and openings in doors, walls, and windows can reduce heating efficiency, increase energy costs, and give rise to water damage, resulting in mold growth. If your energy supplier is not offering a home electricity inspection, you can perform one independently. Here are a few ways to prevent leakages, drafts, and ultimately water damage:

• Use plaster, weather seal tape, or styrofoam around moveable windows and doors to maintain a warm interior. 
• Use window insulation equipment or bubble wraps to cover the windows you will not utilize.
• Install a storm door at the front of your house to reduce heat loss.
• Insulate the attic to prevent heat loss through the ceiling.
• Replace poorly insulated wooden doors with steel or fiberglass doors.
• Use thick towels to insulate mail apertures and pet entry flaps, which will assist keep the warm air indoors and the cold air outdoors.
• Use window curtains; open them during the day so the light and warmth can enter your house, and shut them at night to prevent heat escape.Inspect Your Chimney Thoroughly

Before using the fireplace or wood-burning stove for warmth or cooking, have your chimney or flue inspected and serviced by a professional. This method can aid in the prevention of chimney fires and fire damage, which account for around 20,000 house fires each year. A blocked chimney or flue increases your chances of falling sick from carbon monoxide exposure and poisoning, so make sure you hire a professional to inspect the chimney beforehand and remove any blockages. 

You should also consider changing the batteries in your fire and carbon monoxide alarms and keep a periodic check if they are working properly. An efficient smoke detection system will save you from massive fire damage and restoration expenses.

If you have a non-functioning or decorative fireplace, you may waste valuable heat because of that open fireplace. It would be wise to block it so that the heat can stay in.  Spending money on a chimney balloon can assist in maintaining heat in the atmosphere, limiting heat loss, and allowing harsh winter winds to pass through. Should you need to start a fire afterward, make sure to take it out.

Get Your Furnace Checked As Well

Your furnace, like your chimney, is equally important and can pose a great fire damage hazard. A blocked furnace can be a huge fire hazard and can massively damage your place. We suggest you hire a professional to inspect your furnace properly at least once a year and keep it well maintained to avoid fire damage. 

Proper maintenance will also ensure that you have a well-functioning furnace available throughout the winter season. Imagine discovering that the furnace isn’t working properly just when you want it the most. Do you get the chills? If you really do not select for a timely furnace check, you will have genuine ones! 

It’ll give you ample time to change it before the cold weather sets in. You should also consider having the air ducts cleaned or doing it yourself. Replace your furnace filters regularly to keep your furnace in good working order and guarantee smooth operation.

Cover Your Flooring

Although laminate, wood, and tile floors are attractive, they also come at the expense of fire damage if you do not handle them well. We suggest you cover your wood flooring with fireplace rugs to protect it from coming into contact with fire. You can also make your wood floor fire-resistant by getting professional help. 

Wooden and laminate floors also let heat escape your house. One of your winter maintenance checklists should include installing rugs or laying carpet atop your flooring to restrict heat flow and keep your house warm without losing heat.

Conclusion

Winter can be brutal on any home, and you can’t imagine having to face fire or water damage and restore it once it has been wrecked. Instead, include these straightforward actions in your winter maintenance checklist and do them long before the first frost.

• Insulate your uncovered pipes to prevent them from freezing and bursting during the cold weather.
• Make sure your sewage system is in good operating order and that nothing is blocking the outside drain.
• Clean and maintain your chimneys and furnace to avoid fire damage.
• Properly seal your walls and roofs to prevent condensation and moisture in your home, which can lead to mold development.
• Clean your gutters and check for ice, roots, rubbish, or anything else that might cause your gutter to collapse.
• Turn off and insulate the pipes and water taps outside your home to avoid water leaks.

This winter maintenance checklist can assist you in staying warm, avoiding fire and water damage, and lowering your utility expenses. 911 Restoration of Bakersfield is here to assist you in preparing your home for the impending harsh weather and is only a phone call away in an emergency. We hope you’ll find this checklist useful in your winter preparations!