Bravera Bank
Use this checklist to get ahead of cold weather challenges and prepare your home for the seasonal changes ahead.
Outdoors
⬜ Plant bulbs for springtime flowers.
⬜ Cover and/or store outdoor furniture.
⬜ Winterize summer lawn equipment and prepare it for seasonal storage.
⬜ Remove window screens and (if applicable) put up storm windows and doors.
⬜ Replace damaged weather stripping and door sweeps.
⬜ Repair damaged caulking on windows.
⬜ Clean gutters and downspouts.
⬜ Check and trim dead or damaged tree limbs.
⬜ Disconnect garden hoses and store them.
⬜ Manually shut off the water supply to exterior faucets and drain the water lines to prevent freezing.
⬜ Cover exterior water faucets and insulate exposed pipes using foam pipe insulation.
⬜ Winterize your lawn sprinkler system using the manual, automatic or blowout draining method. ⬜ Have the septic system inspected and make sure all outdoor pipes are insulated or below the frost line.
⬜ Inspect walkways, railings and driveways for any safety concerns.
Pools and Hot Tubs
⬜ Winterize hot tubs if not used during the winter. (Use a tight-fitting cover for safety, bleed the water lines, jets and other components, and unplug the unit.)
⬜ Keep hot tubs running at optimal levels if used through the winter. (Use a tight-fitting cover for safety and water heat retention, circulate the water often, use a ceramic heater to keep parts from freezing and insulate the hot tub shell.)
⬜ Prepare and cover swimming pools. (Remove accessories, deep clean the pool, bleed water lines or disconnect service hoses, and adjust water chemistry.)
Snow Removal
⬜ Stock up on rock salt, sand or non-clumping litter to prevent slipping on icy walkways.
⬜ Inspect and service cold-weather tools such as shovels, leaf blowers, rakes and snowblowers.
Cooling and Heating
⬜ Reverse ceiling fans (clockwise during winter and counterclockwise during summer).
⬜ Clean debris from outdoor heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units.
⬜ Inspect whole-house humidifier systems.
⬜ Check home heating oil or propane levels.
⬜ Cover outdoor HVAC unit grates to prevent debris from accumulating. (Cover the top grate with plywood and secure it with bricks, or cover it with a tarp, if recommended by the manufacturer.)
Fireplaces and Chimneys
⬜ Have your chimney inspected and cleaned.
⬜ Stock up on firewood.
⬜ Clean gas fireplaces or have them professionally serviced. (Check the gas ignition, vacuum the interior, inspect ceramic logs for damage and perform other maintenance recommended by the manufacturer.)Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness
⬜ Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
⬜ Check fire extinguisher expiration dates and replace extinguishers, if necessary.
⬜ Change the batteries in flashlights and weather radios.
⬜ Assemble a survival kit for power outages and inclement weather.
⬜ Clean your clothes dryer exhaust duct and vacuum lint buildup around the outside of the dryer.
⬜ Visually inspect electrical outlets for damaged or loose-fitting covers (they can be a fire hazard).
⬜ Inspect your backup generator. (Check the oil, filters, spark plugs, and battery and fuel levels.)
This content is from Applied Systems, Inc. and is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing professional, financial, medical or legal advice. You should contact your licensed professional to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem.
Bravera Insurance is an equal opportunity provider. Products and services offered through Bravera Insurance are: * Not a deposit * Not FDIC insured * Not insured by any federal government agency * Not financial institution guaranteed
Bravera Insurance is an equal opportunity provider. Products and services offered through Bravera Insurance are: * Not a deposit * Not FDIC insured * Not insured by any federal government agency * Not financial institution guaranteed