Winter Preparation | Home Maintenance Series
Just as nature slows down and hibernates for the winter, so must the home be fortified to last through the cold months of the year. While home maintenance will not be as frequent in the coming months, it is important to tackle important maintenance tasks as soon as possible to ensure that your home stays warm and protected through any harsh storms. Plan for your home's seasonal maintenance with our guide below!
Outside Your Home
Bring out the snow blower. Make sure it is in good working order before it snows. Send the snow blower to a small-engine repair company for a tune-up. Some companies will pick up and drop off your equipment for you. Make sure you have gasoline and motor oil.
Stock up on supplies. Make sure your shovel survived last winter because you will need to dig out of stairways and narrow pathways. Stock up on ice melt, but look for brands free of salt or chloride that can be harmful to pets and children. Don't let pets lick treated snow and use sparingly around foliage.
Ice dams. Accumulated ice on your roof can cause a dam that can damage your home's exterior and interior. Throughout winter, inspect the roof regularly for signs of ice dams or icicles. Buy a roof rake to help keep ice off your roof in the first place by gently removing fresh snow from your roof after a storm.
Inside Your Home
Leaks and drafts. Leaks and drafts coming in through cracks in walls, doors and windows can prevent proper heating and increase energy bills. Put caulk, foam or weatherstripping around moving doors and windows and use a window insulator kit to seal up windows you won't be using. Install insulation in your attic to prevent ceiling heat loss. Use blackout curtains on your windows, keeping them open during the day to let the sun in and closing them at night to keep the heat in.
Frozen pipes. Pipes near the outside of your home are at greatest risk for freezing and bursting, like outdoor faucets, pipes in an unheated garage or swimming pool supply lines. Shut off and drain outdoor faucets before any cold weather hits and insulate pipes where you can. On cold days and nights, keep the cabinets below sinks open to let warm air in, or run the faucet at a drip to keep water moving.
Generator. A portable generator can provide you with a lifeline in a blackout. Power it up every three months, and have it serviced twice a year (even if you never use it). Keep fuel and motor oil on hand in the event of a storm. Do not let fuel sit in the tank for long periods of time, as that can damage it. Check it regularly for corrosion and wear.
Winter storm prep. A heavy winter storm can leave you housebound for days. Stock up on wood for the fireplace, gas for the snow blower and canned food and bottled water, in case you lose power. Check your emergency supply kit for batteries, a radio, a first-aid kit and any medicines you may need. Check in on neighbors who may need help shoveling out (a little camaraderie in a storm goes a long way).
Reverse your ceiling fans. You can give your heating system a helping hand by reversing the motor on any ceiling fans to make them run in clockwise direction. This will force warm air that’s risen near the ceiling down to the living area. This simple step may be enough to allow you to adjust your thermostat to a lower temperature, so you can save energy and heating costs.
Heating systems. Check and change filters on your heating system, as filters need to be replaced anywhere from twice a year to once a month. Keep an eye on the water levels in your boiler to make sure they do not fall too low.
Proper home care maintains the value and preserves your daily enjoyment of your home. Looking to find the rest of the season's checklists? Click through to view handy maintenance lists for every season!