The Simple Life

Work/Life Tools

Family and Friends

• Clean gutters, removing fall leaves and other debris, and install plastic gutter screens. If you attempt this job yourself, remember that using a ladder requires a team of at least two--one person to steady the ladder and one to perform the task. It is important to clean gutters and drains, because blockages during rainy weahter can cause water to back up or ice dams to form. While you are working near the eaves of the house, why not add Christmas-light hooks so you can create a light-bedecked holiday look with ease.
• Avoid drainage problems that may cause foundation damage. Using a garden hose, check to make sure downspouts carry water at least 3 feet away from the foundation. A little digging to reshape the earth and redirect water away from the house may save the day. Remove fall leaves and other debris from storm drains.
• Clean and store garden furniture. Wipe metal parts with a protective oil-based product to minimize rusting. If you do not have custom covers for outdoor furniture, consider using plastic sheeting. Available in rolls at many hardware stores, it is useful for a number of home-improvement projects.
• Clean and cover the barbecue, and store it for the winter. Let nature help you make this job easier. Remove the racks from the grill and put them on the lawn overnight. Morning dew and enzymes will help remove burned-on foods. You can clean porcelain racks in a self-cleaning oven set on the cleaning cycle.
• Make sure tree limbs are pruned so they do not threaten your roof or power lines. Power companies will often take care of this problem for you. Call your local vendor for details.
• Drain garden hoses and irrigation systems in areas where freezing may be a problem. Insulate all outdoor plumbing units by covering with bubble wrap secured with twine. Want to disguise the plastic? Wrap it in burlap sacking and tie with twine.
• Buy a supply of sand, rock salt or cat litter (not the scoopable kind--it's slick) for use on icy walkways.
• Seal concrete and blacktop surfaces now. This protects against moisture entry and subsequent freeze damage.
• Repair damaged weather stripping with putty or chalk, or replace it altogether. Clean and lubricate window channels for smooth operation.
• Install storm windows. Clean them first if you want a clear view. Here's a handy window-cleaning formula that produces excellent results: Fill a 2-gallon bucket three-quarters full of warm water and add 2 tablespoons cornstarch, ¼ cup of ammonia and ¼ cup of white vinegar. Wash down the windows with this solution, using a squeegee to remove any excess. Polish dry with a clean cloth.
• Re-set exterior lighting in anticipation of longer winter darkness.
• Check the chimney and cap for signs of smoke or water leaks. It's best to have a professional to do this.
• Obtain a roofing inspection if your roof is more than 10 years old. Roof inspections are hazardous, so it's best to hire a professional. However, there are some ways to identify possible problems from the ground. Use binoculars to scan the roof for missing, damaged or missing pieces. Examine the soffits (undersides of the eaves) for signs of damage or water buildup. If possible, check the flashing (the covering used to seal the base of chimneys, vents, pipes and skylights). If you have had any work done on your roof since last winter, consider hosing down the roof to check for potential leaks that will be harder to deal with when regular rainstorms strike. Keep in mind that roof leaks may not appear directly under the place the water enters, so damage to walls and ceiling may not be visible immediately.

 

• If your furnace is more than 5 years old, hire a professional to perform a routine maintenance check on it. (You might want to observe this check, so that in future years you can do it yourself.) Typically, this check includes changing or cleaning the air filters; lubrication; clearing away combustible materials near flues or furnaces; cleaning the flue and/or chimney; and lighting the pilot lights. Some utility companies offer a free safety check and re-lighting of pilot lights on gas furnaces. If you purchase a filter before this appointment, the utility technician may install it for you.
• Buy enough air filters now to carry you through a winter's worth of monthly changes. If any family members suffer from allergies, investigate special filters designed to reduce allergens and dust.
• Clean and vacuum baseboard heaters, heating ducts and vents.
• Remove or winterize air conditioners, following the manufacturer's directions.

 

• Prepare for winter power cuts by buying candles and storing them with matches. Stock up on batteries for flashlights and portable radios. For no-electricty meals, dig out your fondue pot and make sure you have cans of Sterno and canned soup on hand.
• Consider installing a thermostat with a set-back feature. This feature can be set to automatically reduce the temperature at night when occupants are sleeping and during the day when the home may be empty. For every eight-hour period that a thermostat is set back 10 degrees you'll save 10 percent on energy costs.
• Spending more time indoors means more exposure to pollutants and allergens that get trapped inside during the winter months. If there are allergy sufferers in your household, try these ideas to protect their health.
  • Don't wear outdoor shoes in the house. Take them off at the door and put on house shoes or slippers.
  • Vacuum carpets, rugs, floors and furniture regularly.
  • Pay attention to ventilation, because well-insulated and newer homes are often tightly sealed. Open windows during the day to remove stale air. Run kitchen and bathroom vents after cooking and bathing to remove moisture and cooking odors. Leave inside doors open so air can flow through the house. Don't allow smoking indoors.
• Install carbon-monoxide detectors near bedrooms. Carbon monoxide, a deadly gas that's colorless and odorless, can escape into the house from any fuel-burning appliance, furnace, water heater, fireplace, woodstove, or space heater. (This is one reason proper maintenance of chimneys and flues is so vital and why new furnaces and water heaters must be installed correctly.) In houses with good insulation and tight-fitting doors and windows, carbon monoxide can build up even faster. For more information about this potentially fatal hazard, see http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/cospot.html