November 20, 2015 - Four Critical Winter Home Maintenance Tips
The severe winter months can be hard on your home. Between freezing temperatures, harsh winds, ice and snow, both the exterior and interior of your house takes a beating. By creating a winter maintenance checklist, you can properly preserve your home for years to come by retaining the house’s value and protecting your investment. Whatever your checklist may include, be sure these four essential maintenance tips are at the top.
- Take care of your heating system, both before and throughout the winter months. Prior to warming your house all winter, give your heater some TLC to extend the system’s life and tackle any potential issues. Hire a licensed contractor to service your furnace or boiler to ensure it’s in proper working order and will be able to operate problem-free throughout the winter. Also be sure to replace any filters throughout the heating system in your home.
Just as your furnace needs attention, so does your chimney. Consider having your chimney serviced around the same time as your furnace (at least once a year) to prevent the build up of creosote and other debris that could be a potential fire hazard during the winter.
Lastly, set your indoor thermostat to temperatures above 55 degrees. This will further insulate your water piping system and prevent any freezing. It will also provide an even, comfortable temperature throughout your home.
- Prevent ice dams from building up on your roof. Dams and icicles can be a huge hazard to your home during the winter. Meltwater that doesn’t drain properly creates a frozen wall that prevents proper run off of melted snow and ice. Have a home-energy auditor or weatherization contractor inspect your attic and repair anything that may become a problem down the road.
While you work to prevent ice dams and icicles from damaging your roof, consider maintaining other draining and plumbing issues, too. Be sure to have any old pipes checked by professionals to avoid the cracking, breaking and bursting of frozen pipes.
- Ensure your windows are in good condition. Faulty window insulation, poor sealants and other issues can make difficult (and expensive) to efficiently heat your home. Try hanging extra curtains or blinds to help keep the heat indoors. If your windows tend to fog up on the inside, this could be an indication that the sealant on your windows is deteriorating and you may want to consider window replacements in the near future.
Similarly, be sure other insulated areas of your house are in good condition. Check any exterior doors for drafts or air leaks and inspect insulation to be sure it has not been damaged by years of weather or pest infestation. These flaws can put addition strain on your heating system as it will have to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature.
- Ensure You Have Proper Winter Supplies and Equipment. Don’t be caught unprepared by the season’s first storm. Be sure your summer equipment is properly stored and your winter gear is up to par. Consider draining sprinkler systems, storing hoses and cleaning gutters, and prepare equipment like snow blowers, generators, shovels and back-up heaters to ensure they all work properly. This will prevent you from being caught unprepared during harsh winter storms.
By keeping your home properly maintained over the winter months, you can maintain and even increase the value of your home. That way, you won’t lose money on your investment when it comes time to sell your home. Visit Redman Van for more about home maintenance tips and moving assistance, today.
