Many Colorado homeowners mark the seasons by the weather and the chores they create. Check off these honey-dos recommended by local pros throughout the year.
Winter
♦ Check the cords on your holiday decorations to prevent fires and electrical shorts. “They need solid connections, not frayed cords,” says Angela Isaac, owner of Loveland-based Catalyst Inspections and winner of the home inspector category in this year’s Best of NOCO contest.
♦ Clean your dryer exhaust ducts, check your carbon monoxide detectors and mitigate other potential dangers. “Winter is the time to pay attention to hidden hazards,” Isaac says.
♦ Keep your furnace vents clear of snow and ice. “Blocked vents can be dangerous and affect system performance,” says Chelsey Clause, president of Windsor-based American Air Heating & Air Conditioning, which took first place in the heating and air services category in the Best of NOCO contest.
♦ Make sure family members know where the main gas valve is located so they can shut it off in the event of a fire or natural disaster.
♦ Move any stored firewood at least 20 feet away from your home’s foundation. This helps prevent pests such as termites and mice from using the wood pile as a bridge to your house.
♦ Check the caulking around your windows and bathroom appliances to keep them tightly sealed against cold air and moisture. Check your weatherstripping around doors and windows as well.
♦ Get a whole-home humidifier or buy little ones for the bedrooms. “Dry Colorado air can crack wood and irritate skin,” Clause says.
♦ Reverse ceiling fans to push warm air down.
♦ Clear gutters of ice dams.
♦ Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and filter.
Spring
♦ Service your HVAC system and replace the air filters in your furnace. “After the winter, your system has worked hard,” Clause says. “Have a professional inspect, clean and tune up your air conditioner to make sure it’s ready for warmer weather.”
♦ Inspect your roof, trim and siding. Look for signs of rot, cracks, missing pieces, poor drainage or wear. “This is the season to walk around your house and see what winter left behind,” Isaac says.
♦ Clean your gutters. “Melted snow can leave debris behind,” Clause says. “Keep water flowing away from your foundation.”
♦ Check your water heater for leaks. “A quick look at your water heater can catch rust or small leaks before they grow into bigger issues,” Isaac says.
♦ Replace your fire extinguishers if necessary.
♦ Check your extension cords for wear and tear.
♦ Fertilize and aerate your lawn.
Summer
♦ Check appliance hoses for cracks. “Summer storms and heavy irrigation mean extra water use, so it’s smart to inspect hoses on washers, refrigerators, icemakers and dishwashers for cracks and bulges,” Isaac says.
♦ Clear grass and debris away from your AC unit to keep it running efficiently and prevent it from overheating.
♦ Test window and door locks and re-check your seals. “Keep the cool air inside,” Clause says, “and your energy bills will be lower.”
♦ Inspect your deck and play structures. Prevent injuries by looking for loose boards or cracks on your deck and making sure any kids’ play equipment is screwed in and secure.
♦ Clean your garbage disposal by grinding ice cubes and then rinsing it with hot water and baking soda.
♦ Review your family’s escape plan. This will help your family know what to do in the case of a flood, fire or tornado. The plans should be different for each scenario.
♦ Reverse ceiling fans to circulate cool air efficiently.
Fall
♦ Service your furnace and replace the air filter (yes, again). A broken furnace can be a nasty surprise on the night of the season’s first frost.
♦ Have your chimney cleaned. A chimney sweep will clear out creosote and bird nests.
♦ Replace window screens with storm windows if needed.
♦ Inspect and swap batteries in your carbon monoxide detectors. “Safety first, before you start using gas heat regularly,” Clause says.
♦ Inspect and, if necessary, swap out batteries in smoke detectors, or replace the detector itself if it’s more than 10 years old.
♦ Check the house for water leaks.
♦ Test your emergency generator to prepare for power outages.
♦ Run fuel out of your lawn equipment by letting it run until it’s out of gas.
♦ Blow out your sprinkler system.
