Clean leaves and debris from courtyard and pool storm drains to prevent blockages. Your compressor could be damaged if your A/C accidentally gets turned on in low temperatures. How you winterize a pool and spa will depend on what type you have since an above-ground pool can require much different procedures than an in-ground pool. (Already got mice? Coat the burners and other metal parts with cooking oil to repel moisture that can build up over the winter and to prevent rust. This is a common problem that can make for balky starts, uneven flames or even a one-alarm fire the next time you light your grill. When cold weather is right around the corner, that's the time to get your car ready for winter driving: lube locks, latches, hinges, window channels and weather stripping. Wrap outside faucets with covers to prevent water damage. Pin Share Email Simon Battensby / Getty Images .
how to clean your air conditioners in the spring. Then I add a bit of nonoxygenated gas, which has a longer shelf life but is too expensive to burn all year. Replace weatherstripping, if necessary. Water supply pipes are especially susceptible to cold weather and freezing. Check for missing, damaged or warped shingles and replace, as necessary before you get stuck with a leak. Now, when I know that it's the last time I'm going to use a tool for the season, I suck out the gas from the tank with a turkey baster and run the engine dry. But before you throw the tarp over your boat or roadster for the long winter sleep, think about how you're going to care for the battery. Check the roof for missing or damaged shingles, and have them replaced. Even worse is having your sprinkler system burst from frozen lines because you didn't get around to purging the system before freezing weather set in. Plus: Check out these common air conditioning mistakes you might be making. Make sure fans are switched to the reverse or clockwise position, which will blow warm air down to the floor for enhanced energy efficiency and comfort. Instead, disconnect the tank and store it outside in an upright position away from dryer and furnace vents and children's play areas. Remove air conditioners from windows or cover them with insulated liners, to prevent drafts. Running this heater in the winter is a waste of money, and the warmth could attract mice. You could use a pressure washer, but stick to a couple quick passes because you don't want to saturate the attic insulation with water. Good illumination will help minimize the chance of accidents on icy walkways at night. Winter Preparation Checklist For A Homeowner. Copyright © 2020 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Check that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order. Start with the window channels.

So the chimney and fireplace need some inspection and service before winter sets in. You can lube your entire vehicle in less than 20 minutes. Battery maintainers are designed to be left on for the entire offseason. Inspect outdoor lighting around the property. prevent any unpleasant surprises when you fire up your grill. Iyna Bort Caruso, Residential Equity Management Home Inspections, Bob Vila's 10 "Must Do" February Projects, Bob Vila's 5 "Must-Do" Projects for October, 10 Easy Repairs Never to Pay Someone Else For, The Dos and Don'ts of Air-Drying Everything You Own, The 15 Smartest and Smallest DIYs You Can Do for Your Home. It was expensive, but it worked perfectly for my irregular-shaped yard; that is until it spent the winter in my unheated garage. Repair or replace, if needed. If you're storing your grill outside during the winter, just keep the propane tank connected (but shut off) and put a protective cover over the entire grill when you're done cleaning it. Prepare the snow blower for the first snowfall by changing the oil and replacing the spark plug.
Flush a hot water heater tank to remove sediment, and check the pressure relief valve to make sure it’s in proper working order.

Inspect windows for cracks, broken glass, or gaps. Poor attic ventilation can cause ice dams in the winter months, increase cooling costs, create a home for mold and reduce the life of shingles during the dog days of summer.

If you have a lawn service that handles this, have them come to drain and winterize the irrigation system.