A good house inspection, especially in the fall, is extremely important. Winter weather can wreak havoc on our homes if we are not well-prepared for it. It is difficult to do repairs amidst a snowstorm or when it is raining. That’s why the safest option is to start repairing any non-working machines, leaks, or cracks to guarantee that your property can face winter head-on. If you don’t know what to check first, we are going to tell you the four most important fixes you need to do around the house.
1. Dryer
Most people are used to letting their clothes air-dry after they take them out of a washing machine. However, as the weather gets colder, it gets harder and riskier to hang anything on the balcony or the roof. That’s why we tend to use the dryer a lot during winter, and it can be an issue if it stops working suddenly while our favorite outfit is still wet. Moreover, dryers can be a fire hazard, so by fixing it, you can sleep without worrying about it burning up the place.
First of all, clean the filter that is placed at the front of the dryer from any lint. You can do that by scraping it off with your hands or by using a vacuum if some strings are stuck. This is to reduce any fire risks and improve the energy efficiency of the machine. Lint hangs around the vents as well, so you need to locate them and remove them. However, this time you will need a screwdriver to unscrew the vent. After that, twist a duct brush inside and pull it out a couple of times but without using any extra force. To make sure that you got rid of any residue, turn on the dryer and let the air push the remaining lint outside.
2. Heating System
We use different heating systems at home, especially if we live in a country famous for its cold weather. If you have a furnace, you need to clean its filter monthly to increase the heating efficiency. This will also protect you against many diseases because bacteria, dust, and pollen get trapped inside. You will notice that your utility bills are lower than usual after cleaning the filter.
Unfortunately, sometimes when you get out of the filter, you will find out that it is torn or has some scratches. This will affect its ability to clean the outside air before reaching you. In this case, you will have to replace it with a new one.
However, handymen at filterbuy.com/resources/the-furnace-filter-size-issue/ warn people against getting just any filter without checking its size first because it will be a headache to return it after trying to insert it without any luck. You can check the dimensions if they are written on the old filter, which is the easy way to go. On the other hand, if it lacks dimension, you will have to measure it yourself and then round the result to the nearest inch.
3. Water Sources
In this season, you probably won’t use most of the water sources at home. For instance, if you have a pool, you won’t dive into it in the cold weather. That’s why you should empty it out and fix any issue because you won’t inspect it again until next Summer. It is better to get an expert’s help because any small damage in the pool may ruin it all which can be a lot more costly than paying a contractor.
The sprinkler system in your garden won’t be necessary as well. You should shut them down by shutting down the main water line to the hose. Speaking of outside water supplies, the faucets must be protected as well. This is because the water can freeze over and expand, causing the pipes to explode. This can cause flooding in your basement which can be disastrous, especially if you don’t notice it. It may ruin your walls, furniture, and floors which are expensive to repair or replace. The best option is to drain the pipes and shut off the faucets to avoid this hassle from happening.
4. Leaking Outlets
You should search for and fix any leaking outlets in the house before you get crippled by the cold. Air leaks are the most common ones and they can be fixed easily. For instance, check around the pipes because this area may not be properly sealed. You can close these spaces by using foam insulation all around the pipe. You can do the same thing for any existing spaces around windows or doors.
It is better to inspect the house before winter because the harsh weather may prevent you from going outside for days. Make sure to fix the most important utilities first in case you don’t have the time to check other machines. Moreover, leaks and cracks can have a disastrous effect over time, so you have to make sure that all spaces are properly sealed. You can hire a professional to steer clear from the headache of fixing things yourself and to make sure that no broken item gets overlooked during the check-up.
