 | Bob Crager of Lewis Street Glass is a 26 year veteran in the glass business. Lewis Street Glass is a leading Wichita Glass company, serving the entire Wichita/Sedgwick County area since 1919. They do anything and everything having to do with glass, both residential and commercial. They also do Auto glass. They are located at 743 South Market, facing Kellogg on the South, and you can reach them by phone at (316) 263-8259. You can email Bob Crager at bcrager@lewisstreetglass.com |
Glass
2006-09-01 16:04:00
Preparing for the winter months
QUESTION: What should we do to our house to get ready for fall & winter weather?
ANSWER: Regarding windows and doors specifically, there are a number of things to check out to insure that you go through the cooler season without difficulties. You should seal up drafty doors and windows by checking out the thresholds and weather seals. If you added up all of the small cracks where the heating and cooling escapes from a home, it would be just the same as having a window open all the time. Not good! Replace all the broken window seals as needed, as thermo-pane windows that lose their seals are hard to see through, and they don't do the job of insulating for heat gain or loss. See your glass shop for replacement panes.The roof vents, chimneys, and any skylights should be checked out for leaks, and be certain to give special attention to the rubber boots around the vent stacks. These can deteriorate over time and allow rain to penetrate your home's interior, causing damage to sheetrock and interior décor. While you're at it, check the attic vents, which should be closed in the winter to conserve heat, and opened in the summer to promote ventilation. Clean your gutters and downspouts of leaves and debris and make sure they drain rain water away from your foundation...and don't forget to take off your hoses if there is freezing weather coming. This prevents to prevent freezing your freeze plug in the outdoor hydrants, causing them to leak lots of water into your basement.Clean the fireplace chimney and flue to prevent soot buildup and unwanted fires caused by failure to maintain these areas properly.Remember to clean or replace furnace filters once a month, or as needed. Check and clean the dryer vent, air conditioner coils, stove hood and bathroom fans. Keep heating and cooling vents clean and free from furniture and draperies, promoting good circulation of the heated or cooled air. It's also thought to be a good idea to put a cover over the air conditioning units in the off season to prevent the elements from having a negative effect on those. Have your furnace serviced in the fall, and the ac in the spring to avoid problems that can be avoided by proper maintenance. Sometimes it is a good idea to drain the hot water heater, and remove sediment from the bottom of the tank. And finally, ensure that all smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers are in good working order. Replace the batteries in appropriate devices as needed, or at least twice each year. If the siding is in good shape, you should be able to go through the cooler months of the year without too much difficulty. I hope this checklist helps you, and I'll have more next month...
