Basements need attention for winter

As cold weather approaches, it's time to turn attention to the basement and the various systems it houses. Here are some tasks that can make for a safer, more comfortable home, without frightening leaks, squeaks or monster utility bills.

• Have your furnace inspected and serviced. Make sure it is operating safely and that you're getting the best bang for your energy buck. A professional will adjust burners, check the thermostat, change filters, confirm pressures and perform other cleaning and maintenance.
• Leaking heat ducts can be a major source of energy loss. Look for separating ducts at joints and connections to equipment. Use a heavy metallic tape or a paint-on elastomeric sealer.
• Insulation around heat ducts is an important part of their efficiency. If the ducts are old, the insulation may contain asbestos, a health hazard. The Environment Protection Agency says asbestos-containing building materials are best left alone when in good condition and not crumbling. If you are concerned, contact the nearest branch of the American Lung Association for information on testing, repair and abatement. If ducts are not insulated, insulate them. If they are insulated and the material is not firmly affixed, use a spray adhesive to anchor it.
• Check for leaking pipes and repair or replace them as needed. Pay special attention to the pipes attached to the hot and cold ports on the water heater — they are prime candidates for corrosion.
• Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that results from improper combustion by fuel-burning appliances. In high concentrations it can be lethal. To prevent any carbon monoxide in the basement, make sure furnaces, stoves, fireplaces, water heaters, boilers, gas dryers and the like are operating at peak efficiency and are properly vented. If you don't have a carbon monoxide alarm in your basement, install one. If you do, test it frequently and make sure it works.
• Caulk any cracks in concrete walls with a high-quality flexible caulk. Cracks and gaps that allow water to enter should be filled with hydraulic cement.
• Minimize water entry by installing rain gutters and downspouts that discharge well away from the foundation. Soil surrounding the home should slope away from the foundation to ensure proper drainage.
• Any water that does make its way into the basement should be collected by a sump system and pumped safely to the exterior. Be sure the sump and pump are clean and working. Excessive water buildup may require installing a more comprehensive water collection and ejection system.
• If your washer and dryer are in the basement, replace any rubber water-supply hoses with braided, stainless steel ones to prevent burst hoses and flooding. Save energy and prevent a potential fire by disconnecting the dryer duct and removing lint buildup.