Five Things Every Homeowner Needs To Check Before Winter
The colder temperatures take their toll on our homes every year, and we spend so much time worrying about the decorations and cleaning, we neglect the important stuff. That’s why we at DEAR Services want to help you get ready with 5 tips to get your home ready and safe this winter.The colder temperatures take their toll on our homes every year, and we spend so much time worrying about the decorations and cleaning, we neglect the important stuff. That’s why we at DEAR Services want to help you get ready with 5 tips to get your home ready and safe this winter.
1. PROTECT YOUR HOME’S PLUMBING.
Our plumbing system is one of the easiest to neglect, since it happens “behind the scenes.” Cold weather means frozen pipes, so it’s important to make sure your pipes are well insulated, especially in crawl spaces and attics.
It’s also important that we double check our exterior hose bibs, and make sure they have frost protection. Make sure your hoses are insulated, and disconnect them from the bib any time they are not in use.
2. KEEPING YOUR HEATING SYSTEM SAFE AND EFFICIENT.
Just because your heat kicked on successfully the first time this season does not mean it will run efficiently all season long, especially without the proper maintenance. Every furnace should undergo the same check up every winter.
First, make sure you’re replacing your filter monthly. Also, make sure the inside and surrounding area of the furnace is clear of all debris. If you have forced air in your walls, be sure the grills are free and clear of dust and other debris. Dust makes your system’s fan motors work harder, drastically shortening their life.
Finally, you should have your system professionally tuned up each season. Just like your car, your furnace and AC systems having moving parts that wear down over time, and without professional maintenance, the lifespan of your system and its parts are drastically reduced.
3. KEEP YOUR ROOF AND GUTTERS CLEAR OF DEBRIS.
As the leaves start to fall, and without proper cleaning our gutters can become clogged (pine needles are a particular nuisance in our area). The longer they’re neglected, the worse the problem becomes. Not only will the leaves decay over time, leaving you with the nasty task of clearing out dead, moldy gutter backups, but it can also cause extensive, long term damage.
The water backup can cause your gutters to rust, meaning you’ll need to replace them prematurely. And when water cant travel through our gutters easily, it ends up under our fascia boards creating an expensive nightmare.
4. HAVE YOUR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM EVALUATED BEFORE YOU PLUG IN SPACE HEATERS.
Space heaters are pulled out this time of year, and they put enormous stress on our electrical systems. It’s extremely important for you to make sure any circuit you’re plugging them into can handle the load.
Make sure all your devices have a tight connection with any cords you plug into them. You should also verify that whatever circuit you’re using is able to handle the heater (it is extremely dangerous to plug a 20 amp heater into a 15 amp circuit, for example). Once you’ve verified that, it’s still important you err on the side of caution with space heaters. Don’t leave clothing or blankets around them, make sure carpet and fabrics aren’t exposed to them for too long, and never leave them on overnight.
5. PREPARE, JUST IN CASE.
Sometimes, even when we think we’ve covered everything, something unforeseen happens. We need to make sure we’re prepared if it does. You should have essentials set aside for an emergency, such as first aid kits, non-perishable foods, flashlights, and water. If you have the resources, it is also worth thinking about getting a backup generator, or at least a few battery backups on the important things in your home.
Once you’ve made sure you have the proper items in place for any sort of emergency, sit down with your family and loved ones and make a plan
Get Help, and SOON!
Failing to plan is planning to fail, so it’s best to tackle these 5 tips NOW! DEAR Services would love to help you take these steps to make sure your home is safe, efficient, and comfortable all winter long. Call us today at (844) 321-DEAR so we can help you start getting you and your family ready to face the season!
Launched in 2014, Dear Services was started by David Hirst. After managing over 25 million dollars for other electrical contractors in the area, David sought to utilize his skills to build his own business and bring excellent customer service to families across the Puget Sound region.
Launched in 2014, Dear Services was started by David Hirst. After managing over 25 million dollars for other electrical contractors in the area, David sought to utilize his skills to build his own business and bring excellent customer service to families across the Puget Sound region. Dear started by offering electrical services across multiple industries, including commercial service and install, residential new construction, and even worked on marine shipping containers. After servicing those clients for almost 2 years, David decided to narrow Dear Services’ focus to offering residential services to families all across the Puget Sound region.
By creating a high energy family atmosphere, Dear Services has recruited some of the area’s best service experts. With a combined experience of over 100 years, Dear has been able to offer expert level service to over 8000 clients in the region. In late 2016, Dear Services expanded its ability to service clients by beginning to offer plumbing and heating and cooling services.
Moving forward, Dear Services will continue to grow by offering the highest level of service possible, and remaining true to its core values of safety, integrity, being a great place to work, and most importantly, delivering the WOW through service.
Email: schedule@dearservices.net
Phone: 206-735-7604
Launched in 2014, Dear Services was started by David Hirst. After managing over 25 million dollars for other electrical contractors in the area, David sought to utilize his skills to build his own business and bring excellent customer service to families across the Puget Sound region.
