Give your home some TLC for the holidays
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Dec. 8, 2021) — As the holidays approach and we focus on goodwill and family, there are several things that we can do to keep our homes comfortable and safe.
It’s a great time to give your fireplace and chimney some love. To avoid excessive drafting, keep the damper closed when the fireplace is not in use. But also make sure to open it before starting a fire. A chimney cleaning may be needed, as creosote buildup can create blockages and backflows of dangerous gasses/smoke.
It’s also time to check windows and doors for drafting. Weatherstripping typically solves most of these issues. You may also consider an infrared inspection to determine hot and cold spots.
As you begin to fire up your furnace, it’s a wonderful time to replace the filter. Units more than 15 years old may need a furnace inspection.
If you experience even one night of freezing temperatures, drip all exterior plumbing fixtures. Maybe also add insulation sleeves to exterior plumbing lines.
Finally, if you’re interested in donating old clothes, blankets or jackets, we are collecting again this year. Just email or text.
Scott Denslow is the owner of Safe at Home Inspection Service. He is an InterNACHI and ASHI certified inspector who has 59 five-star ratings on Yelp. Contact him at scott@safeathomellc.com. For more info visit www.safeathomellc.com.