As the days get shorter and the temperatures continue to drop, our first inclination is to switch out the clothes in our wardrobes, putting away our summer tees and swapping them for warm sweaters. However, the closet isn’t the only part of your home that requires adjusting in preparation for winter. As soon as you adjust your wardrobe, consider preparing your home for the colder months.
Why Winter Home Maintenance Matters: Protect Your Property and Save Money
Winterizing your home is an essential part of seasonal property maintenance. It can help keep you and your loved ones warm and cozy while minimizing energy loss and preventing cold-weather damage, like frozen pipes. By following this property maintenance checklist, you may be able to reduce utility costs and protect your property against costly repairs. You can easily check and find past owners of a property by conducting a property search by address. By accessing historical ownership records, you can identify previous property owners and contact them for valuable insights. If you suspect past damage, such as water or structural issues, asking former owners about their experiences can provide critical information that may not be immediately visible. This can help you assess the property’s maintenance history and identify areas that may require special attention before winterizing.
How to Inspect and Seal Windows and Doors for Winter Energy Efficiency
When inspecting and sealing windows and doors for winter energy efficiency, thoroughly examine areas around the frames and sashes for gaps, cracks, or worn weather stripping. Use weather stripping or caulk to seal these areas. Install storm windows or purchase a window insulation kit for added draft protection. If you want to reduce your heating bill significantly or eliminate seemingly impossible drafts, consider installing new energy-efficient windows.
The Importance of Cleaning Gutters Before Winter: Tips to Prevent Ice Dams
Thoroughly cleaning your gutters before winter should be a critical item on any property maintenance checklist. Clogged gutters can cause ice dams to form on your roof. An ice dam occurs when melting snow cannot drain properly, causing water to pool and freeze. Over time, this can cause significant damage.
Here are four simple steps to clean your gutters before winter:
- Remove all twigs, leaves, and other debris from gutters and downspouts.
- Check for cracks, holes, or loose sections in gutters and downspouts and repair as needed.
- Ensure that gutters are properly pitched for effective water flow, away from your home’s foundation.
- Consider installing gutter guards to help reduce debris accumulation.
Heating System Maintenance Checklist: Stay Warm and Reduce Costs
Whether you’re trying to figure out what items should be on your rental property maintenance checklist or your own home’s seasonal property maintenance to-do list, you must ensure your heating system is in good working order and ready for the cold winter!
Here are some key items:
- Air Filter Maintenance: Regularly change the air filters on your heating system to maintain proper airflow and prevent dust buildup.
- Furnace Maintenance: Your furnace should be cleaned and serviced once a year. This involves visually inspecting the heat exchanger for cracks or damage, cleaning the burner, checking the flue and vent connections for obstructions or damage, checking the blower motor and fan belts for wear and tear, and inspecting electrical connections for tightness and corrosion.
- Ductwork Maintenance: Identify and seal any leaks in the ductwork to prevent heat loss and check the ductwork insulation for proper coverage.
- Thermostat Optimization: Check the calibration to ensure that the thermostat accurately reads the room temperature. Utilize programmable features for maximum efficiency and lower the temperature when no one is home to save energy.
Winterize Your Plumbing: How to Prevent Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes can be a costly winter headache for property owners. Insulate any exposed pipes with foam sleeves, especially in unheated attics, basements, and crawl spaces. It is also important to drain all outdoor faucets located on your property by following these steps:
- Locate the shut-off valve for your outdoor faucets.
- Turn off the water supply to the outdoor faucet.
- Disconnect hoses from the faucet.
- Open the outdoor faucet to allow any remaining water to drain completely.
Another great way to prevent frozen pipes is to maintain a steady water flow throughout the home. To do this, let faucets drip slightly, especially those located on exterior walls or in areas prone to cold. Even a small trickle of water can prevent ice from forming inside the pipes.
Roof Maintenance Tips to Protect Your Home During Winter
To protect your property during winter, it is important to prioritize a thorough roof inspection ahead of the change in seasons. A roof inspection should include checking for any leaks, damaged shingles, or weak spots. If any issues are discovered, they should be addressed promptly to prevent further damage from snow and ice. Don’t forget to examine the flashing around chimneys, vents, and valleys.
Safety First: Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Before Winter
In the winter, there is a greater risk of fire and carbon monoxide exposure in the home due to the increased use of indoor heating appliances. Poorly maintained or faulty heating systems and the use of potential fire hazards like space heaters and fireplaces are all factors increasing these risks during the winter months when all the home’s windows and doors are closed.
Every property maintenance checklist should include ensuring that all carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are installed properly, tested, and confirmed to be in good working order. It is recommended that all alarms be tested weekly.
Preparing Outdoor Spaces: Storing Equipment and Protecting Furniture
Your outdoor space and everything that makes it unique and special must also be protected from the ravages of winter. Ideally, you should cover and store any outdoor furniture ahead of winter. Use fitted outdoor furniture covers if you can’t store your furniture inside.
To protect your landscaping from the harsh winter weather, prune any dead or damaged branches from trees and shrubs and apply a layer of mulch to your garden beds to help insulate the soil. You’ll also want to ensure that any equipment needed to perform your seasonal property maintenance tasks, such as snow blowers, shovels, and ice melt for snow or ice removal, is easily accessible no matter what the winter brings.
Ceiling Fan Hacks: How to Use Fans for Better Heating in Winter
Another great way to save on energy costs in winter is to use your ceiling fan for better heating by rotating it clockwise at a low speed. This creates an updraft that pushes warm air accumulated near the ceiling back down into the living space, allowing you to maintain a comfortable temperature while potentially allowing you to keep your thermostat set at a lower temperature.
Attic and Basement Insulation Tips for Winter Heat Retention
Proper insulation in the attic and basement can reduce heat loss and ensure a warm and efficient home throughout the winter. Here are some steps you can take to ensure your basement and attic insulation is up to the job of keeping you warm this winter.
In the attic, visually inspect the floor joists for insulation gaps and fill in when needed. Depending on your needs and access, you can choose from fiberglass batts, cellulose loose-fill, or spray foam insulation. Seal gaps around vents, chimneys, and access points with weatherstripping or caulk to prevent air leaks. Ensure that your knee walls, the vertical walls in the attic where the living space meets the attic floor, are properly insulated.
In the basement, insulate the ceiling to prevent heat loss from the living space above. Pay close attention to the rim joists (the space between the foundation wall and the basement floor), using spray foam to seal any air leaks. Consider using rigid foam board insulation to insulate unfinished basement walls for added R-value and moisture resistance. Installing a dehumidifier in the basement is also a good idea to prevent excessive humidity.
Essential Emergency Supplies to Prepare for Winter Storms
Winter emergencies happen no matter how thorough your rental property maintenance checklist or personal seasonal maintenance checklist is. When the power goes out, you want those inside the home to be safe and secure until it is restored.
Here are some essential emergency supplies you should have on hand in preparation for winter storms:
- Food and Water: This includes having several days’ worth of non-perishable food and bottled water (at least one gallon per person daily).
- Warm Clothing: This includes warm coats and layers, hats, mittens, scarves, extra blankets, and sleeping bags.
- Lighting and Communication Essentials: Have a flashlight, battery-powered radio, and extra batteries for each. Having several power banks charge your phone is also a good idea.
- First Aid: You’ll want to have a well-stocked first aid kit.
When it comes to winterizing your home, there should be no compromise. Not only is it an essential part of seasonal property maintenance that reduces the risk of damage to your property and helps you lower your energy costs, but it can also help keep you and your loved ones safe throughout the winter. In the end, that’s the most important value of all.
Recent Comments