Winterizing Checklist

With colder weather quickly approaching, fall is the time to start thinking about steps to take in order to keep your home safe from potential damage this winter. Being a homeowner requires you to keep up on your home’s maintenance. Since fall brings a moderate temperature, it is the perfect time to take on some projects, or hire a team of professionals, to help you get your home ready for the cold temperatures that could lie ahead. You’ll want your home to be kept as safe and protected as it possibly can be when that winter weather hits. The right changes can save you money as well as protect your home. Here are some home maintenance tips that every homeowner should follow.

 

1. Prevent Pipes From Freezing

Any system outside your home that uses water has the potential to freeze and cause you problems during winter. So, if you have an irrigation system in the garden, you will need to prepare it properly. You can manually drain them to remove any water, and you should do the same with any outdoor taps. When you inhibit the water from freezing inside them, you also avoid the potential for burst pipes. You can also add pipe insulation to any pipes that are exposed to the cold during the winter months. This can help to stop freezing and bursts.

 

2. Clean Gutters and Downspouts

Heavy rainfall during the fall and winter can cause damage to your home if you do not take the proper precautions. Gutters are made to keep excess water off and out of your home so rot, mold, and mildew don’t start to form. Clogs are the main reason that gutters malfunction. Throughout the fall months, it is common that your gutters will become filled with leaves and other debris. This can make it difficult for excess water to drain. If this water doesn’t empty into your downspouts, it can seep into your roof area, down exterior walls, and even into the basement. You will definitely want to make sure your gutters are clean and clear so all the rainfall can drain properly. 

 

Downspouts also play a role in protecting your home from water damage. A downspout is where gutters route the excess water. Your downspout should be clear of debris and the water that is drained off of your roof should be directed away from your home. Ensuring that it doesn’t pool directly below. If the water pools at the base of your home it can lead to foundation damage. 

 

Keeping gutters and downspouts clear and functioning properly will ensure the rainy season goes as smoothly as possible for you and your home.

 

 

 

3. Seal Windows and Doors

As the cold air begins to set in, your windows and doors should be properly sealed. Dirt, old glazing putty, worn-out gaskets, or weather stripping could be allowing drafts of cold air to enter your home. When the cold air gets in, your heating bills will rise, and you’ll be throwing money away needlessly. To prevent this, make sure that you fill in any gaps from windows or doors before the cold weather really starts to take hold. Your home will feel much more comfortable and you will save energy and money in the process. 

 

If you find yourself spending more than usual as the weather gets colder it could be beneficial to get an energy audit done. An energy audit will assess where your home is losing the most heat and find a solution to save you money.

 

4. Roof Inspection

Your roof is what protects your home from the outside world. It’s something you should pay particular attention to as fall and winter approach. Start by carrying out a very simple inspection of the roof and identify any problems. Broken tiles or cracks that could let in water, need to be fixed as soon as possible. 

It’s easy enough to carry out simple repairs on the roof if you have the right tools and a decent guide to follow. But if your roof has significant damage it might be a good idea to hire a professional. Hiring a professional will almost guarantee the job gets done quickly and thoroughly. Having a roof inspection done will keep the inside of your home safe as well as stop costly weather damages from happening. It will also save you from having more home maintenance in the future. 

 

5. Chimney Cleaning

 

Fireplaces continue to be a leading cause of house fires and carbon monoxide poisoning in the United States. In order to help you protect your home and health, you should have your chimney inspected by a professional at least once a year before the winter arrives. Creosote is the chemical that is found in chimneys of wood-burning fireplaces, and even a small amount of it can be very dangerous. Hiring a professional will make sure your chimney is clear of any debris such as dead leaves, branches or animals and animal nests. Preventing toxic smoke from getting blocked and stuck inside your home.

 

 

 

6Pool Winterization

 

Although your pool may remain unused this winter, you definitely do not want to neglect it. There are many steps that go into winterizing your pool. You will need to balance the PH levels, clean the pool and filter, lower the water level, blow the pool lines, and cover it to protect it from fall and winter debris. If you don’t feel like doing this yourself, hiring a professional could be beneficial. This will help you avoid damage to your pool and pool equipment. 

 

The most important thing to remember when preparing your home for winter is diligence. Keeping up on your home maintenance is very important. If you see a problem with your home, don’t wait until the last minute. Find some time to fix it yourself, or call a professional and schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

 

Originally published on Redfin

A great 2018! Looking forward to an awesome 2019

Klean Kata Window Cleaning LLC Earns 2018 Angie’s List Super Service Award

Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service

 

Spokane, Wa Monday, February 4, 2019– Klean Kata Window Cleaning LLC is proud to announce that it has earned the home service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award (SSA). This award honors service professionals who have maintained exceptional service ratings and reviews on Angie’s List in 2018.

 “Service pros that receive our Angie’s List Super Service Award represent the best  in our network, who are consistently making great customer service their mission,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “These pros have provided exceptional service to our members and absolutely deserve recognitionfor the exemplary customer service they exhibited in the past year.”

 Angie’s List Super Service Award 2018 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include maintaining an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade and review period grade. The SSA winners must be in good standing with Angie’s List and undergo additional screening.

 

“This award means a lot to us at Klean Kata. Getting great reivews by providing excellent service at an affordable price is one of our company’s goals.”

 

Klean Kata Window Cleaning LLC has been listed on Angie’s List since 2014. This is the 3rd year in a row that Klean Kata Window Cleaning LLC has received this honor.

 Service company ratings are updated continually on Angie’s List as new, verified consumer reviews are submitted. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in multiple fields ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

 For over two decades Angie’s List has been a trusted name for connecting consumers to top-rated service professionals. Angie’s List provides unique tools and support designed to improve the local service experience for both consumers and service professionals. 

 

 

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Klean Kata Window Cleaning is the premier vendor for residential window cleaning, gutter cleaning and roof cleaning in the Spokane and Coeur d'Alene area. We strive to hit the mark each and every time by providing high quality, high value services. We look forward to serving you!

 

Contact:

Klean Kata Window Cleaning LLC

Ryan Lund Owner

509.228.8740

208.714.0005

www.kleankata.com

ryan@kleankatawindows.com