Allen Construction Services, Inc. Blog www.acs-allen.com

Hopefully you all made it through the winter storms and flooding so far.  As I see it, especially in the Northwest, winter is only halfway over and who knows what else we may see.  Here are a few tips I have compiled to keep your home ready and safe for the next storm.

1. Heating System: First and foremost, crank you furnace up to 80 degrees for about 30 minutes.  Make sure the furnace runs steady and does not make any noise you are not expecting.  Take a look at the service log.  If it has a been a few years, it might not be a bad idea to have the system checked by a professional.  Slide out the air filters and make sure they are clean.  Also check that you have a carbon monoxide detector in your home.  Carbon monoxide is a odorless gas and every form of combustion will release some carbon monoxide.
2. A/C System: Even though we are in the wrong season for more cool air, make sure your A/C unit is free of debris and covered.  Come summertime, many systems fail due to debris being clogged from winter leaves and bramble.
3. Chimney and Fireplace: My parents’ neighbor almost lost their entire home to a creosote fire.  Chimneys need to be inspected and cleaned on a regular basis.  Ash and creosote will build up on the inside on the chimneys and can ignite the entire home!
4. Uninsulated Plumbing: No piping should be bared to the elements.  If you have plumbing that is exterior or in a crawl space that is not insulated, it needs to wrapped in foam insulation at the very least.  Even better is wrapping those pipes in heated electrical tape.  Also make sure to disconnect any hoses from the exterior faucets.
5. Insulation: Check to make sure your hot water heater is properly insulated if it is located in unheated space.  You can purchase hot water heater blankets to wrap the heaters.  This will in turn keep the water warmer and use less energy.  Check to make sure all doors and windows have adequate weather stripping and are sealing properly.
6. Windows: Here in the Northwest, our doors and windows are inundated with water.  Especially with wooden doors and window, caulking needs to be checked on a yearly basis, and any exposed wood needs to be regularly sealed or painted to prevent rot.    Any rot you may find needs to be repaired as soon as possible to prevent it from spreading deeper into the structure.
7. Roof and Gutter: Check for missing shingles and clear gutters.  If downspouts are clogged and water accumulates in the gutters, the gutters may not be able to support the weight and fail.  Poke your head up into the attic and look at the underside of the roof.  If you see any water marks or stains, it is a sign water is seeping through the roof.
8. Landscaping: If you have any water features or sprinkler systems, make sure they are drained if you haven’t already done so.  Typically it takes a wicked cold snap to lower the ground temperature enough to freeze underground sprinkler, but it has happened and will happen again.

Allen Construction Services is here to help if you need any of these items professionally checked and if you require any repairs the winter storms may have already caused.   Stay warm and at least lets hope for some more snow in the mountains to help us skiers out!!!

Take Care, Ryan

rsmolinsky@acs-allen.com