Following are some suggested winter maintenance tips for manufactured homeowners.
- Have your furnace or heating system checked and serviced by a licensed contractor at least once a year.
- Clean or replace the furnace filter on forced hot air systems.
- Set your heat no lower than 55 degrees as the temperature inside the walls where water piping is located is colder than the living spaces.
- Add weather stripping around doors and caulk windows to guard against drafts and heat loss.
- Make sure your pipes are adequately prepared to withstand a cold snap and remember to take extra precautions if you are going to be leaving your home, including shutting off your water.
- Trim trees and remove dead branches so they do not damage your home or injure someone.
- Make sure downspouts direct water away from the foundation.
- Keep gutters clear of leaves, sticks and other debris to ensure melting snow can drain property.
- Repair steps and handrails.
- Check smoke detectors, fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries to ensure they are operating properly.
- Make sure you have snow shovels and ice melting compound on hand.