Home maintenance is not a one-time job; rather it is an ongoing process. Your home needs your consistent attention, ranging from regular service and maintenance of home appliances to structural upkeep and maintenance of various parts of the building.
While the maintenance of home appliances and safety gadgets almost remains the same across different weather conditions, the criterion for upkeep of the structure of your building may vary with the weather conditions. For the area, having harsh summers, the parameters of structural upkeep and maintenance would be quite different from the areas, with prolonged cold weather. Similarly, the areas receiving a heavy rainfall might need some extra care as compared to the relatively dry weather conditions.
Portland, Oregon is one of the cities having both summer and winter seasons. Here, the winter is characterized by heavy rains, with night temperature often falling below freezing. Winters in Portland, often remains cloudy. Hence, your home may need a comprehensive maintenance plan to protect the roof and outer parts of the building.
Here is a suggestive check list for the maintenance and upkeep of your home in Portland, before and during the onset of winter season.
Insulation of Water and Gas Pipes
Severely cold weather often leaves its impact on the water or gas pipes, exposed to the weather affects. The pipes are prone to cracks, freezing and damage when exposed to the extremely low temperatures. To protect these pipes from potential damage during the winters, make sure to insulate the ones, installed outside the building, like the pipes installed alongside the outer walls or corridors. In case, the temperature tends to drop well below the freezing point, some of the internal pipes, especially those installed in an unheated area may also need protection.
Wrap these pipes with a high-quality insulation material. It will not only protect the pipes against cold weather but will also keep them protected from severe hot weather, in case.
Rooftop Cleaning
Generally, the roofs are the most vulnerable places of homes, as these are directly exposed to the severity of the weathers. A upkeep of a roof becomes even more important in areas like Portland, where frequent heavy rains are expected, especially during the winters. The upkeep of roof includes clearing the debris, removal of fallen leaves, twigs, moss and general cleaning. A cluttered roof might hamper the rain water drainage, which ultimately results in damage to the roof top. Clogged roof top will result in trapping of rain water on different parts.
This rooftop clearing exercise should be done twice a year, especially before the onset of winter. It may also involve clearing the gutters. If you are based in Portland, NJM Roof Cleaners provide roof cleaning Portland services with a high level of professionalism and workmanship.
Installation and Clearing the Gutters
Gutters are meant to drain out the rain water safely from the roof, without damaging the walls, as well. Clearing the gutters is one of the most important steps that need to be taken well before the onset of winters and rainy seasons. On the other hand, the success of an efficient gutter starts with its correct installation. An unprofessional installation of a gutter will always be a trouble for your home during the winters and rainy seasons.
The very purpose of a gutter is to facilitate an uninterrupted outflow of rain water from the roofs. It needs quite a reasonable expertise to install it, considering the overall ambiance and façade of the home. More importantly, the gutter should also protect the outer walls of your home from the impact of draining out the rain water. A poorly installed gutter might damage the outer walls of your home. So, it is very important for to firstly get it installed by a professional service provider and secondly to ensure that it remains clear of any debris and leaves before the onset of winter season.
The American Gutter Service is one of the best professional Gutter Installation in Portland. You may hire their services to keep your roof protected from the possible damage during the winters.
The Windows and Doors
The windows and doors play an important role in protecting you from the harness of weather, may that be severe winter or extreme summer. Hence, you need to keep the windows clean and preferably insulated, especially during the winter. You may also need to plug the drafts and empty spaces between the windows and the walls, so that the cold air may not enter inside the home.
Testing and Maintenance of Safety Gadgets
Safety gadgets, like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and gas leak detectors also need your occasional attention. Keep them serviced and well-maintained for trouble free performance throughout the winter season. If battery operated, you may need to replace the batteries to ensure their uninterrupted performance.
Additional Home Maintenance Tips during Winter
- Keep the chimneys clear of any blockage.
- Keep the ventilation system in perfect working condition.
- Change the air filters, if installed in your home.
- Keep the plants and trees trimmed.
- Keep enough home supplies for winters.
<p>The post Winter Edition: Your Ultimate Home Maintenance Checklist first appeared on CCR-Mag.com.</p>
