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Prep Your Property with this “Easy Winter Checklist”

Sometimes there are instances when you just can’t avoid issues with your home’s HVAC & Plumbing Systems, but this reminder of proper maintenance and preparation can help keep those surprises to a minimum.

Now that October is with us, I guess there is no way to avoid it; winter is going to happen.  I always fight a bit of denial about winter because it’s my least favorite time of the year.  Fall is my favorite season, but now I have to admit all hope of any ‘Indian Summer’ is about gone, and the colder, wetter, and darker days are beginning to fully surround us.  As many of you may know, I like Check Lists…and it’s at about this time of year I polish off my “Early Winter Checklist” because I hate it when some repair takes me by surprise that I could have avoided by a little maintenance and planning and looking ahead.

Inside…

  • Inspect the Water Heater for signs of any drips or leaks. Operate/test Hot Water Tank shut-off.
  • Review Service Record label on water heater, and schedule Annual Maintenance as needed.
  • If Expansion Tank exists, make sure it’s not ‘water-logged’, and its air pressure is ‘tuned’ to the incoming water pressure, (if an Annual Maintenance is due, a good one will include this).
  • Actually, measure the hot water temperature with a thermometer at the nearest tap, to ensure target temp is correct.
  • Run hot and cold water separately at each faucet, make sure of full-flow and no drips after shutting off.
  • Watch each drain as you run water, look for any signs of partial-clog-slow-drain or back-ups. Remember the holidays are coming, with the potential of heavier than usual use of things…make sure everything flows/drains well!
  • Check each toilet; that it flushes fully and shuts off fully afterward, with no signs of clogging.
  • Clean and carefully examine all caulking on sinks, counters, tubs, showers, around fixture flanges and around the base of all toilets (sides and front only, don’t seal at back). Remove and re-caulk anything that won’t clean or seems loose or un-sound.
  • Inspect Furnace, Air-handler, or boiler for any signs of problems/leaks and listen to operation for strange or unusual sounds.
  • Review Service Record Sticker, change filter and schedule Semi-Annual Maintenance as needed, including cleaning all ductwork…schedule cleaning if due.
  • Check that the thermostat programing is current and correct.
  • ‘Call for Heat’ on the stat and let system run for 15-minutes to ensure proper operations (before it gets really cold and is really needed!)
  • Check Woodstoves and Fireplaces for proper draft and operation. Check seals and glass on Woodstove doors. Schedule cleaning or repairs if needed/due
  • Change direction in ceiling fans, so warm air at ceilings isn’t wasted.
  • Clean/Vacuum under and around refrigerator and freezer, making sure dust, pet-hair etc. is thoroughly cleaned from exterior refrigeration coils. Clean any drip-pans that exist.
  • Change all batteries in Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors. Test each unit to sound with ‘test-button’ after installing new batteries.
  • Check all weather-stripping on all windows and doors. Repair or replace as needed…heating and cooling expenses represent up to 49% of home energy use, so good maintenance can result in big savings.

Outside…

Walk around next to structure slowly checking for any obvious items that need attention, including…

  • Remove all garden hoses and store appropriately. If the hose faucets (hose-bibs) are not ‘freeze-proof’, then cover with domed Styrofoam hose bib cover.
  • Check for water-pipes in any ‘freeze-zone’, like an un-heated garage or outside wall. Heat-tape and insulate if needed.  If you can see a water-pipe thru a foundation vent-screen, the cold winter winds can freeze it for sure.  Have the pipe moved, or heat-tape and insulate.
  • Check foundation for cracks, and check caulking anywhere it meets masonry. Repair if needed.
  • Check caulking on edges of doors and windows and vents, make sure it’s sound. Repair if needed.
  • Watch for peeling paint, and repair/touch-up as needed
  • Check weather-strip on garage doors; repair as needed.
  • Check gutters to see that they are clean, and that they are connected tightly still and not leaking.

Step back from structure 10ft to 20ft, and circle structure again…

  • Turn on all outside lights and watch for burned-out bulbs as you do your walk-around.
  • Check for any debris on the roof, for loose shingles or any signs of damage around any chimney flashings. A good pair of binoculars help a lot and potentially help spot small problems without going up on the roof.  Make repairs if/as needed.
  • Check all sidewalks, patios, outside steps and driveways for cracks. Fill and repair as needed to keep water out and resulting freeze/thaw/settling damage.  Take a close look at any asphalt driveway surfaces to evaluate the condition of sealer; schedule re-sealing as soon as practical if needed.
  • Winterize sprinkler system.
  • Winterize pool equipment and install and check pool-cover.
  • Check porch railings for soundness. Cover or store porch/patio furniture and barbeque.
  • Check all outside potted flowers and shrubs. Winterize as/if needed.

I have found that going through the above checklist takes only a couple hours, and it is well worth it.

Enjoy the remainder of this fall and have a Great Winter!!

###

Bruce Davis, Sr. Licensed Journeyman Plumber, Licensed Electrician, HVAC/R, Electrical Administrator, HVAC/R

Certified WA State C.E.U. Instructor

Bruce Sr is President of Day & Nite Plumbing & Heating, a 69-year-old family owned and operated plumbing and heating business in Lynnwood, Washington.  Bruce can be contacted at:  Email: Bruce@dayandnite.net

Day and Nite Plumbing and Heating Inc. 16614 13th Ave. W.  Lynnwood, WA 98037 800-972-7000

 

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E. Rubio

I had the privilege to meet Zach on two separate occasions within a two week span. He was upfront and honest about the work that needed to be done. He is a hard-working, dedicated, professional employee of Day and Nite Plumbing. He explained what needed to be done. I asked questions and he was patient and explained things further so that I truly understood.

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Outstanding Service! Scheduler was pleasant and receptive. Technician (Collin) communicated well, arrived in the agreed upon time frame, diagnosed the problem and fixed the issue quickly. Previously, we had two other companies misdiagnose the problem and one company stand us up for a scheduled appointment. If we have plumbing issues in the future, Day & Night Plumbing will be our first call !

D. Thomas

We had a great experience with Day and Nite from start to finish. Chris was great at the no obligation consult. He explained things clearly and covered everything but didn’t waste our time. They also provided lots of options and thoroughly explained them but never tried to push or up-sell us. Installation was fast and very professional. We will definitely be using Day and Nite in the future.

D. Campbell

Very pleased with the professional technician, Donavan, who came out when our water heater quit working. This was the third major problem with this water heater, so we took his advice and replaced it. Thankfully, he was able to also install the new one right away. I had confidence in his advice and ability to do the job. He was thorough and friendly. It was a five star experience. I highly recommend.

D. Lee

The technician was great: he knew exactly what the problem was and fixed it quickly and efficiently. Even when a glitch happened in the repair, he was totally prepared to handle the situation. I will definitely contact Day & Nite Plumbing for future problems. Thank you!

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Collin was our tech and he was very knowledgeable answered our questions and what they charged was very reasonable and we are very happy to have water again. I was really impressed by everyone that we dealt with they all were professional and helpful.

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