Are you ready for another Wisconsin winter? Prevent potential hazards and prepare your home for the season with these tips from members of the Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council, Inc., the area’s leading home improvement and remodeling industry resource for more than 48 years.
1. Furnace: Have an HVAC professional inspect the heating system (for safety checks, cleaning, and operation checks, recommended at least annually), change the filter, brush and vacuum the blower blades, and seal potential leaks around air ducts.
2. Windows & Doors: Install storm windows and doors (if you have them), and make sure storm doors are working smoothly. Switch out summer screens with glass. Use weather-stripping around doors and caulk the windows to prevent cold air from entering the home. Protect basement window wells with plastic shields.
3. Roof & Siding: Replace missing or damaged roof tiles, inspect flashing, and check siding for cracks, separations, and damage. If the paint appears to be peeling or blistering, touch it up or call a painting contractor.
4. Gutters & Downspouts: Clean clogged gutters to prevent water damage and basement flooding. Use a hose to spray water down the downspouts to clear away debris. Consider installing leaf guards to direct water away from the home.
5. Landscaping & Driveways: Trim trees if branches are too close to the home or electrical wires. Ask a landscaper about pruning and caring for trees and plants to prevent winter damage. Seal driveways, wood decks, and brick patios.
6. Chimney & Fireplace: Call a professional to clean the chimney to prevent chimney fires, check the mortar, and inspect the damper. Cap or screen the top of the chimney to keep out birds and rodents. Stock up on firewood and keep it in a dry place away from the home’s exterior.
7. Foundation: Rake debris away from the foundation and seal up entry points and cracks to keep animals out. Check for areas where water may puddle. Consider mud jacking to correct foundation problems.
8. Insulation & Ventilation: The best defense against ice dams may be to keep the attic cool with good ventilation and adequate insulation. R-40 insulation (about 15 inches) is suggested. Close all air leaks into the attic and check ventilation openings – there should be about one square foot of ventilation per 150 square feet of attic floor space.
9. Pipes: Drain and shut off outdoor water faucets and drain all garden hoses. Insulate exposed plumbing pipes.
10. Supplies: Replace the batteries in the carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, check fire extinguishers, stock up on salt and shovels, drain the gas from lawnmowers, service or tune up snow blowers, and prepare an emergency kit of candles, bottled water, non-perishable food (and pet food), a first-aid kit, and blankets.
Bring your questions to Milwaukee/NARI’s free seminar on the topic, Wednesday, October 14, in the Ron Ziglinski, CR Education Center, 11815 W. Dearbourn Ave., Wauwatosa, from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. A panel of five experts will talk with attendees and offer more tips on making sure a home is ready for Wisconsin’s winter.
The Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council was chartered in July 1961, as a Chapter of the National Home Improvement Council. In May of 1982, the National Home Improvement Council merged with the National Remodelers Association to form NARI – the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.
The Council’s goals of encouraging ethical conduct, professionalism, and sound business practices in the remodeling industry have led to the remodeling industry’s growth and made NARI a recognized authority in that industry. With over 900 members, the Milwaukee Chapter is the nation’s largest.
For more information or to receive a free copy of an annual membership roster listing all members alphabetically and by category, and the booklet, “Milwaukee/NARI's Remodeling Guide,” call (414) 771-4071 or visit the Council’s Web site at www.milwaukeenari.org.
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