December Home Improvement for Winter

Suggestions for December Home Improvement (winter maintenance):

Cleaning the gutters is a good idea in December. The majority of the leaves have fallen from the trees. Gutters should be cleaned to ensure proper drainage.

Changing the direction of the blades on the ceiling fans will force warm air downward, thus warming the room. You could possibly be able to turn down the heater a few notches and save a few pennies on your utility bill. You will want to keep the fan at a slow speed so it does not create a cool breeze.

Check roof vents for debris and insulation. If they are blocked, clear them to allow wet air to escape so it does not create condensation and mildew.

Interior valves for outside water faucets should be closed. All hoses should be disconnected. Outside faucets should be should be ran to wash out remaining water, then shut them off again. All water pipes should be wrapped with insulation to avoid bursting in cold weather, especially those near exterior walls in unheated basements and crawl spaces.