Winter is just around the corner, and while that means it’s time to dig out the holiday lights and down jackets, it also means that you need to get your home ready.
Getting your home ready for the winter will ensure that your appliances don’t break down and that you don’t have to make any major repairs come springtime. But, how do you get your home ready for the winter?
Check out this winter home maintenance checklist to find out everything you need to do.
1. Clean Your Downspouts and Gutters
First things first, remove any debris and dirt that have accumulated in your gutters and downspouts during the fall.
Doing so will ensure that your gutters drain correctly and that water gathers in the right place. If your gutters are blocked, water will overflow and you’ll wind up with expensive damage from ice dams.
Before winter hits, make sure your gutters are in good condition and that you make any necessary repairs. If your gutters are really high up, you may want to hire a professional for help.
2. Tune Up Your Furnace
Your furnace is going to be your saving grace during those cold winter nights, so you definitely want to tune it up before winter arrives.
Replace the filters, and, if your furnace hasn’t been tuned in the past year, hire a professional to take a look at it. If you have an HVAC system, you’ll also want to hire a professional to come in for a tune-up. You can check out Schneider Mechanical to learn about HVAC tune-up in your area.
3. Prepare Your Outdoor Space
There are a number of things you’ll need to do to your outdoor space to get it ready for winter. First, you’ll want to feed your lawn with fertilizer. This will help it grow faster come springtime.
You should also rake up all the leaves to ensure that they don’t kill your lawn once the snow starts to fall. If you have a deck, give it a good wash to get rid of any debris and mold. Before the ice and snow really set in you will also want to prepare access roads and car parking areas around your home. Stocking up on the essentials like rock salt grit, de-icer, and snow shovels will help to ensure you are fully prepared and reduce the risk of accidents and injury on your property.
You should also bring all of your patio furniture indoors. This includes umbrellas, cushions, and hammocks.
4. Check Your Chimney and Fireplace
Winter is the perfect time to get your fireplace roaring, so you’ll want to make sure it’s ready to go for the first time you use it.
Hire a professional to sweep and inspect your chimney. They can get rid of accumulated debris that could be potentially dangerous and cause a fire. If you use firewood for your fireplace, now is the time to stock up.
5. Check the Batteries in Your Smoke and Carbon Dioxide Detector
Oftentimes, fires happen in the winter due to heating. In fact, the US Fire Administration states that 27 percent of structure fires occur during the winter months.
This is why it’s so important to make sure your smoke detector is in proper working order before winter. Make sure to also check the batteries in your carbon monoxide detector.
Time to Tackle These Winter Home Maintenance Tasks
Now that you have this winter home maintenance checklist, it’s time to get to work. Pretty soon, your home will be ready for the winter.
Be sure to check back in with our blog for more tips and tricks on maintaining your home.