Cold temperatures, snow and all the things that come with winter can wreak havoc on your home, ultimately costing you money and negatively impacting its worth. Follow these winter home maintenance tips to keep your house in top shape.
- Check the slope of the dirt around the perimeter of your home to ensure that water flows away from the house. Water that lies against the foundation can affect the structural integrity of your home.
- Shut off and drain water from exterior pipes and faucets to avoid pipe bursts.
- Fall is a great time to aerate your lawn. Doing so ensures deep rooting for your lawn and promotes healthy growth come spring
- Remove window and door screens and replace with storm windows to help save on heating bills.
- Check wood trim around windows and doors for rot and repair or replace wood as needed. Also, examine for drafts and caulk inside and out. This will help minimize heat from escaping and cold air from entering the house.
- Inspect attic/basement insulation and ensure it is at the proper depth and attached appropriately.
- Have your furnace cleaned and inspected by a qualified HVAC contractor to prolong the system’s life.
- Catch roof leaks before they happen. Look for missing or damaged shingles and replace them now before the roof is covered with snow or ice and the melt finds its way into your home.
- Ensure flashing at the chimney, walls, and skylights and around vent pipes are properly sealed. These are the most vulnerable parts of your roof and some of the most common places leaks occur.
- Make sure all gutters are clean and free of leaves and debris in order to help prevent ice dams and prevent water from making its way around the foundation.
