Get Ready for Winter Checklist

FURNACE

• Cleaned and inspected once a year
• Clean or replace filters once a month over winter
• Clean registers, vents and duct openings.
• Remove any combustible materials from the area.
• Check flue or chimney. Clean, or hire someone to clean them.

INSULATION

• Check insulation in basement and attic. Increasing attic insulation will make your home more energy efficient in winter and cooler in the summer.
• Cover any exposed pipes with insulation.
• Insulate water heater.
• Add weather stripping to doors and windows if needed.
• Insulate electrical outlets. There are kits available for this.

OUTDOORS

Gutters & Downspouts

• Inspect, clean out, and repair rain gutters and down spouts.
• Install gutter guards to keep gutters free of leaves and debris.
• Make sure gutter spouts drain away from the foundation.

Roof & Chimney

• Check that ridge vents are unobstructed.
• Check and repair or replace any missing, cracked, curled, broken or rotted shingles.
• Check the roof anywhere it is penetrated by a chimney, vent, dormer, or skylight. A metal flashing should protect each joint and each edge should be sealed with roof cement to prevent leaks.
• Install a screen-chimney cap to prevent birds or other critters from entering the chimney.

Windows & Doors

• Check every window (attic and basement, too) for cracks or broken glass.
• Check around windows and doors for drafts. Caulk or weather-strip as needed.
• Exterior doors need new doorstops if you can see light under them.
• Old drafty windows can be covered with heavy-duty, clear plastic.
• Clean and install storm windows.
• Install basement storm windows to reduce heat loss and prevent condensation.

Siding

• Check around pipes, dryer vents, or other places where cold air can enter your home. Caulk liberally with gun or trowel.
• Repair or replace loose and/or warped siding.

Decks, Patios, & Porches

• Apply an extra coat of waterproof sealant to wooden decks and porches.
• Inspect supports and foundations for separation or rot.
• Store or cover outdoor furniture, grills, and planters.
• Check lights and timers. Reset timers for earlier darkness.

Outdoor Plumbing

• Turn off and drain sprinkling system.
• Drain, coil and store garden hoses.
• Turn off and drain faucets.

Every day we are faced with challenging SITUATIONS. Based on our INTENTION, we always have CHOICE as to how we will respond. Some people IGNORE problems or challenging situations with the hope that the problems will go away by themselves. Unfortunately, many of those problems simply don't go away. The person may acknowledge there is a problem, but DENY their role in correcting it. "Its not my job." If it isn't their problem, then it must be someone else's problem. This is when the person starts to BLAME others for their problems. They will blame management, their team members, and sometimes the customers. The person dedicated to blaming others always has good justification for their attacks. They RATIONALIZE their blame by pointing out all of the reasons others are at fault. The person will RESIST any efforts by others to help them to solve the problem or to make a change. They may get even more defensive and maybe even rebellious. When the problem doesn't go away, they HIDE from those who want to hold them accountable. They hide in busyness, by creating a crisis, or simply by claiming confusion. We do have another CHOICE.

We can RECOGNIZE that there is a problem. We often hear ourselves blaming, rationalizing, etc., and this is what reminds us that we are not in the Upper Circle. Once we recognize there is a problem, we can OWN our part of creating, promoting or allowing the problem to happen. Once we own the problem, we need to FORGIVE ourselves and others involved with the problem. If we don't forgive, we can end up blaming ourselves or others, and that puts us back in the Bottom Circle. Forgiving allows us to move on in pro-active ways. After forgiveness, the next step is SELF-EXAMINE. We ask questions like, "How can we improve?, How come we keep getting into the same situations, What can we do differently?" Once we start asking good questions, we can start to get answers and we LEARN what we can do differently to solve the problems that have surfaced. Based on our learning, we need to TAKE ACTION to achieve a new result. We all fall in the Bottom Circle at times. It's human to do so. The question is how long do you stay there?

IMPAQ