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Winter is here! At this time of year, there are many things that need to be done around the house to keep it in good condition. Staying on top of home maintenance chores is important for maintaining the value of your home and avoiding bigger maintenance problems down the road. Here’s what you can do.
Do you use your fireplace during the cold months? If so, it’s important to clean your chimney before lighting your first fire of the winter. If you have lit some fires already, you should still get your chimney cleaned if it hasn’t been this year.
Cleaning the chimney can eliminate creosote and ensure that your chimney is still in good enough condition to use. During the cleaning and inspection, your chimney sweep should be able to identify problems like cracks in the lining and damage to the flu – which could be very dangerous to you and your home. These issues must be repaired before lighting fires in the fireplace.
At this time of year, it’s a good idea to put a piece of plywood on the top of your air conditioner condenser, to prevent icicles and snow from falling into the condenser and causing damage. It’ll also help keep leaves and other debris out, making your spring cleaning a little easier. If you have a window air conditioner, take it out of the window and store it somewhere dry.
Homes can get very dry in winter. This can make the air uncomfortable and dry out your sinuses. Turn on the humidifier to keep the air in your home more comfortable. Be careful not to humidify too much though, or you’ll get window condensation. If you do notice condensation on your windows, use the humidifier less or at least move it away from your windows. Condensation makes it hard to see and can also collect moisture on the window sill, potentially damaging the wood frame and leading to mold and rot.
This is the perfect time of year to inspect your windows and decide if they need any maintenance. Look for problems like peeling paint, mold, mildew, stains, soft spots in the frame, water damage and more.
If your windows need repair, get it now! If your windows are in poor condition overall, the repair bill could be very high. In this case, have your windows replaced.
Air leaks around your windows can make your furnace work long and hard to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. Signs of air leaks around your windows include:
If your home does have air leaks around your windows, use caulk to seal any cracks around your windows, and weatherstripping to fill in the gaps between the window and the frame.
Renewal by Andersen of Long Island sells windows that are made to last for decades. They’re even protected by a 20-year warranty! To learn more about getting replacement windows in your home, contact Renewal by Andersen of Long Island today at 866-609-5033 or fill out the short form on this page.