A Dryer Vent Kit Must-Have + Tips for Winterizing Your Home

I recently bought my own home and as a single woman, there is a lot I don’t think about but realize I should be paying closer attention to when it comes to the efficiency of my home, not to mention safety as well! One of those things being the Dryer vent. I’ve heard of homes catching fire due to the dryer, you hear about it all the time. The lint builds up, the vents get clogged and a fire starts. I never run my dryer when I’m not home because of this but having just bought a very old house (built in 1944) I had really no idea what kind of condition my dryer vent was in.

I got to try out a new Dryer Vent Kit with Flush Mount Zinc Aluminum metal wall vent with a 4-inch duct from Famco recently and I’m so glad I did! This Dryer vent kit is super high-quality, built to last, and helps provide a safer experience when it comes to releasing heat from the dryer through and out of the house! (Just be sure to clean out the lint often, behind and around your dryer, to help keep your home safe and fire-free!) It also comes with a one yr warranty! I love the aluminum look and how great it looks on the outside of my house too! It blends in nicely, looks polished and pretty, and gives a nice clean appearance to my house as well

 

Air passes through it just fine as well, and it does the job of making sure my Dryer works productively and safely too!

On another note, I wanted to share some quick winterizing tips for your home. Winter is officially here today and I always forget about things that should be done in and around my house to prepare for winter! Here are some of my tips to help prevent the need for costly repairs (I just had to replace my furnace last month and have my main home drain cleared because it was blocked – a $9500 cost for both! Ouch!) Regularly checking your home for maintenance needs throughout the year is the best way to keep your home safe!

Here is a brief checklist to guide you through some basic tasks before it is too late to properly and effectively perform repairs:

 

GROUNDS

• Check window wells, dry wells, and storm drains for debris or blockage.
• Repair any driveway cracks and/or heaved or settled walkways.
• Trim all trees and shrubs, particularly any too close to the house.
• Check (ideally during a rainstorm) that all rainwater drains away from the foundation.
• Clean and put summer furnishings away.
• In areas subject to freezing temperatures, drain and store garden hoses and shut off and drain hose bibs (unless frost-free faucets have been properly installed).

EXTERIOR OF HOUSE

• Check the weather tightness of all exterior surfaces and components.
• Caulk and seal all joints in the siding, around windows and doors.
• Check for deterioration of painted or finished areas. If too late for a full paint job, touch up bare wood surfaces with a primer and at least one finish coat.
• Check and seal any foundation cracks.
• Repair or improve weatherstripping at exterior doors and windows as needed.
• Reset storms and screens where required. Check window sills for signs of water damage.
• Look for any signs of insect or pest activity, particularly at the foundation areas and any wood components close to the ground.
• Check stairs and rails for condition and sturdiness.
• Make sure shrubs or mulch does not block any air intake or exhaust vents for heating or ventilation systems.
• Check for damage to lighting fixtures. Test Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) receptacles using the built-in test button.

ROOF (Use binoculars or hire a professional.)

• Check for loose, damaged, or missing roofing.
• Check eave areas for signs of moisture build-up or damage.
• Check the condition of the chimney and roof vents.
• Check flashings for signs of lifting or damage and repair or seal as needed.
• Check and clean all gutters (eavestroughs) and downspouts.

ATTIC

• Check for signs of roof leakage, particularly at chimneys, vents, and valley areas.
• Check ventilation openings for nests or other blockages.
• Check the position and condition of insulation for uniform coverage.
• Look for any signs of excessive moisture buildup, such as mildew or discoloration on the underside of the roof.

INTERIOR ROOMS

• Check all areas for signs of roof or plumbing leakage.
• Have any fireplaces or wood stoves and flues checked and professionally cleaned.
• Reset automatic timers for the change in daylight hours.
• Check all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace batteries if over a year old. Replace units over seven years old.
• Test Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupters (GFCI) in bathroom and kitchen areas.
• Clean or vacuum radiators or air distribution and return grilles.

HEATING/COOLING SYSTEMS

• Clean all elements of the cooling system.
• Remove (or winterize) room air conditioners. Check window sill areas for water damage.
• Follow manufacturer instructions for the start-up maintenance of your heating system.
• Change or clean heating system filters on warm air systems (now and regularly).
• Check heating and cooling systems for any evidence of water leaks.
• Check condensate drains and pumps on heating and cooling equipment for any signs of blockage.
• Clean and test the humidifier, if present,
• Check the heat recovery ventilator filters and ductwork, if present,
• Have your heating and cooling systems serviced annually by a qualified serviceperson to keep them functioning properly and efficiently.

PLUMBING

• Drain or insulate water lines that are subject to freezing.
• Check the condition and temperature setting of the water heater. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for the temperature setting.
• Check the plumbing system and fixtures for any evidence of water leaks or blocked drains.
• Confirm proper operation of any sump pumps and free flow of water from the drain line.

Note: These tips are only general guidelines. Since each situation is different, contact a professional if you have any questions about a specific issue.  More home safety and maintenance information available online at www.housemaster.com.

These tips come from Kathleen Kuhn, the president of HouseMaster, based in Somerville, New Jersey. HouseMaster is the oldest and one of the largest home inspection franchisors in North America. With more than 300 franchised areas throughout the U.S. and Canada, HouseMaster is the most respected name in home inspections.

 

If you’re a single woman like me and am not sure how to go about many of these things (most confuse me!) get the Handy App today! It’s an awesome app where you can hire a local handyman easily to come take care of anything you need done around your house, including winterizing your home, cleaning gutters, plumbing, and anything else you might need!

Book services on the Handy App HERE! 

Get $45 off the first cleaning with my coupon code: MYSTYLESPOT45

 

 

Get the Famco Dryer Vent Kit HERE for just $44!

 

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*This is a sponsored post. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are solely my own. I only share reviews with my readers, which I feel will be beneficial or informative in some way.