It's that time of year again! Winter is here! Is your home ready to tackle the chilly months ahead? Here are some top home maintenance tips to get you prepared.
Weatherproof your doors and windows.
It's important to get ahead of the winter weather and make sure your home is ready to handle the cold to come. Check your doors and windows closely for gaps and areas that may cause a draft. Use weatherstripping or caulk to seal them up, or consider replacing the windows or doors if the problem is severe enough.
Clean your dryer hose.
Clogged dryer hoses pose huge fire hazards. Prevent house fires by cleaning your lint filter, emptying or replacing your dryer hose, and regularly checking the vent and exhaust.
Protect patio furniture.
Keep your patio furniture safe from the elements (including rust) by covering your pieces with a heavy tarp. And if you have room, you can also store furniture in a shed, garage or basement.
Stock up on salt and sand.
Purchase some salt, ice melt or sand before the first snowfall. And this will give you some extra traction when it's time to shovel the sidewalk and driveway.
Ready shovels and check snow blower.
Move your snow shovels to an area near the door where they will be within easy reach. Change the oil in your snow blower and replace the spark plug if needed.
Trim tree limbs.
Your winter home maintenance checklist should include trimming any dead tree limbs so they don't fall and damage your home during a winter storm. And if you need to remove large limbs or remove a tree, it may be best to hire a professional.
Reverse your fans.
Turning your fans clockwise is a secret to saving money on heat in the winter since it will stop the warm air from rising and keep it down where you want it to be. Most ceiling fans have a switch that you can simply flip to reverse it—if the switch is not easily accessible on the outside of the fan, it may be somewhere inside.
Get an annual fireplace inspection and chimney sweep.
Similar to dryer hoses, clogged chimneys lead to house fires, but they can also cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Having a yearly inspection and chimney sweep may cost you money, but it could also save your life. Additionally, make sure the flue on your chimney is fully functional so when the fireplace is not in use, you don't experience drafts.
Protect air conditioner.
Even though the condensing unit is built for outdoor elements, it can still be damaged by falling icicles and other debris. You don't need to invest in a waterproof cover (in fact many manufacturers recommend against it, because it creates a warm space for critters). Just place a sheet of plywood held down by a few bricks on top and your A/C should be ready to work again in the spring. Don't forget! Your winter home maintenance checklist should also include removing and storing any window air conditioner units.
Keep the heat on.
Always keep the heat on. Even when you go away. By doing so you can keep your pipes warm and prevent them from freezing, while also saving money on having your heating system work extra hard when you return to bring the house back up to room temperature. Updating your thermostat (if you haven't already) to a programmable version so you can set the house for one temp when you're home, and another for when you're away.
Protect entryways.
All that snow, ice and mud can wreak havoc on your entryway floors. Place mats both inside and outside the door, along with boot trays inside the entryway. And make sure your mudroom is ready with a place to dry wet jackets, hats, mittens and gloves.
Sources: https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/27-tasks-for-your-winter-home-maintenance-checklist// https://www.housebeautiful.com/
