Winter Tips & Safeguarding your Home

Have you ever had your home tested for Radon? Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally underground from rock such as granite or quartzite. It is important to know the levels of Radon in your home that may be emitting from the ground, into your basement and throughout the rest of your home. There are inexpensive Radon test kits that can be purchased directly from this web site. FYI: An individual home can measure contrasting Radon levels from the next, so, it is a good idea to check the status regardless of what your neighbor's/area readings may be. Early detection can be critical to you and your family's future health! Its Winter and we're experiencing colder than normal temperatures. Here are a few steps that may help you save on your heating and electric bills during the winter months and to further safeguard your home. Check your outdoor heating units in the cooler months, to be sure they're operating well. The unit fans can become frozen when ice melts onto the unit and then is followed by subsequent freezing temperatures. Simply pour boiling water onto the ice while the fan is off, will free the fan and allow it run properly again. Check the condensate (water) line from the exterior to interior unit of your HVAC system. With below freezing temperatures, this water line can freeze and then potentially overheat the condensate pump located near your basement HVAC unit. Check gutters for any debris from trees, etc., after a storm and snow/ice thaw. Clean gutters can improve water flow and lessen the backup of debris in icy months. Place a rolled-up blanket or cylindrical bean bag at the site of an exterior door threshold if you experience a draft. This can help keep the cool air out and keep warm air from escaping. These items may seem obvious but can help save you money on your monthly utility bills and avoid any future home repairs. An ounce of prevention...is worth a pound of cure!