The cold and unpredictable weather of winter calls for extra home care and maintenance. This is especially true if you live in areas that experience the winter freeze. Here’s a list of important winter-proof home maintenance tasks that you should start on before winter comes. These tasks will not only protect your home but will also add an additional layer of safety and comfort for the colder months.
Test Your Heating System
Do not wait for the winter freeze to set in just to discover that your heating system is not working. You should give your heater a trial run as early as Fall while the pros are not that busy doing house calls for winter proofing. Never try to tune up your heating system by yourself unless you are certified to do so. Heat is very important during winter so you should hire a professional to do the job.
Check Your Insulation
Insulation plays a big role in making sure your house gets warm and stays warm even in temperatures. It is also energy-efficient because your heating systems and appliances do not have to work so hard in achieving the warmth you need. Do not neglect your doors and windows – check the caulking around them. And if necessary, add insulation in your attic and crawl spaces.
Inspect Your Roof
Roof damage commonly happens during winter. This season can sometimes mean heavy storms and melting snow. Your roof should be strong enough to handle the elements. Replace any damaged, missing, and loose shingles on your roof. You should have someone assisting you if you want to do this task yourself. You can avoid any risks and ensure that the job is done thoroughly by hiring a professional instead.
Winterproof Your Pipes
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Make sure the sections of the house that do not get heat like the basement or attic have insulated pipes. Frozen pipes can cause terrible water damage that would need costly repairs. To make sure the cold air does not get to your pipes, check the floors and the walls near them and seal up any cracks or gaps.
Seal Air Leaks and Drafts
The best heating appliances and systems won’t function well if you have air leaks and drafts around the house. Here’s a simple way to check if your house has any. Wet one hand and run it around your windows and doors. The moisture in the skin will signal when there is air. Also, you can light an incense stick instead and run it through the same areas. If the smoke changes direction, there is a draft or leak.
Uninstall Window-Mounted Air Conditioners
Window unit air conditioners should be removed and stored when winter comes. Then, board and seal up the space thoroughly. Keeping these units up will not only damage your air conditioning unit but also allows cold drafts to enter your home. And you won’t be needing it during winter anyway. You can reinstall your air conditioners once the weather gets warmer.
Clean the Gutters
A clogged gutter during winter can cause ice dams. This could affect the shingles on your roof and eventually cause roof leaks. When this happens, you will surely be getting a huge bill for repairs later on. While cleaning the gutters, check for damaged sections and repair them as needed. Also, check your water drainage as well and test if it is working properly. You can reduce maintenance needs by installing gutter guards.
Install Smoke Detectors
During winter, you will be using a lot of heat. Plus the fireplace will be used more often than usual. And scented candles will be lit. It’s no surprise that house fires often happen during this time. Installing smoke detectors all over the house will alert you instantly in case there’s a fire. This lets you deal with it right away before the fire gets any bigger.
Check on Your Chimney and Fireplace
Creosote buildup is common in the chimney and fireplace. But not everyone knows that they are a fire hazard. You should have a professional inspect and clean up your chimney and to ensure that the job is done thoroughly and to know if it needs repairs. Getting a chimney cap is also a great preventive plan to keep animals, debris, rain, and snow from entering the chimney.
Pest-Proof Your Home
Your warm home may be a target for little critters seeking shelter from the cold. Make sure to take some measures to prevent these pests from coming in. Check out for any gaps where they may enter and make sure your food including pet food is sealed well. When winter comes, inspect your home regularly for any signs of pests and deal with them before an infestation happens.
Check for Risky Trees and Branches
Snow, ice, wind, and a rainstorm are forces that can take down trees. Give your property a thorough inspection and see if some huge branches or trees can possibly damage your house or block your driveway in case they go down. Just don’t think of your house – think of your neighbors too. If you are unsure, consult a professional.
Test Your Generator
In areas that have harsh weather and freezing temperatures, power outages can be common. Make sure you inspect your generator early. Do a trial run to confirm that your generator is functioning well and deal with any repairs right away if necessary. You also should stock enough fuel to power your house for a few days.
Reverse Ceiling Fans
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Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans. This will cause the warm air to go down instead of up. This means the warm air will be redistributed throughout the room instead of simply being collected at the ceiling. Your house gets warm right away and stays that way. This simple tip will help you reduce your heating bill!
Prepare Emergency Kits
Set up an emergency kit with the essentials like flashlights, extra batteries, first aid kit, survival tool kit, fire starters, whistles, glow sticks, blankets, emergency phone or walkie-talkie, and a supply of medications that you and your family are taking. Make two kits – one for your house and one for your car. Everyone should know where these kits are and you should store them in areas where even the kids can get to it right away.
Be Prepared for Snow Removal
Stock up on snow removal supplies early. Make sure you have enough sand and salt. Check your snow shovels or snowblower if they are still reliable. If you have a snow blower, stock up on enough fuel to run it. You’d be surprised how much these items run out once you need them.
As a responsible house owner, you should winterproof your home to avoid any issues while you’re battling out the cold. Take the time to do these winter-proofing tasks early to have a warm and stress-free winter!
