Keeping Your Business and Home Clean

Summer may be here right now, but winter will arrive before you know it. That means it's time to start preparing for the weather change. That doesn't mean that you need to bring out the heavy sweaters already. However, it does mean that you need to start getting your home ready for the cold weather. The last thing you want to do is be caught off-guard when the weather turns cold. Here are three simple steps you can take to make sure your home is ready for winter:

Have the Fireplace Inspected

If you use your fireplace during the winter, you need to make sure it's ready for use. Before winter arrives, have your fireplace inspected and cleaned. This is particularly important if you use your fireplace more than just a couple of times a week during cold weather. Things like soot and creosote can build up inside the chimney. If those substances aren't removed on a yearly basis, you could be setting yourself up for a chimney fire. For best protection, have your chimney cleaned about once a year, right before the cold weather arrives. In addition to a good cleaning, you should also have your fireplace and chimney inspected for damages that will need to be addressed.

Move the Firewood

Once winter arrives, you'll want to have easy access to your firewood. Unfortunately, if you've stacked your firewood too close to your home, you could be inviting a pest invasion. Rodents and termites love to take over wood piles. If your firewood is located near your home, it's just a matter of time before those pests find their way into your home. To prevent pest infestations this winter, move your firewood to an area that's farther away from your home. You may have to walk a bit farther to get your firewood, but you won't need to worry about inviting unwanted guests into your home this winter.

Insulate Your Home

If it's been a few years since you added insulation to your home, this would be a good time to take care of that. Add some sheets of insulation to your attic, especially along the rafters where settling can occur. It's also a good idea to use spray foam insulation around the water pipes to prevent freezing this winter. You can also seal cracks in your attic using spray foam insulation.

Don't be caught off-guard when winter arrives this year. Use the tips provided here to make sure your home is protected from cold weather problems this winter. Contact a company like Country Corner Chimney Sweeps for more information and assistance.