Anyone who lives in a cold climate knows that winter can be especially hard on a house. This winter take all the necessary precautions ahead of time so you can keep warm and save some money along the way. If you follow these winter home maintenance tips you’ll be well on your way.
Exterior
Use binoculars to check the roof for missing or damaged shingles before the first snowfall or after a melt. Missing or damaged shingles can lead to water leaks in winter as there is often snow left sitting on the roof.
Remove leaves and other debris from gutters so that melted rain and snow can drain properly
Add extensions to downspouts if necessary so that water from melting snow runs 3-4 feet away from the house
Tie up your evergreen trees and shrubs so that they don’t become permanently misshapen under the weight of ice and snow
Turn off exterior faucets – undrained water in pipes can freeze which can cause pipes to burst as ice expands
Prevent door locks from freezing before it happens. Spray a small amount of powdered-graphite lubricant into each lock once a season. In a pinch you can also put some Vaseline on the key and the turn the key in the lock
Stock up on salt and/or snow-melt and make sure your shovel is placed in an easy-to-reach spot
If you have a snowblower make sure it’s fuelled up and ready to go
Interior
Tune up your heating system. Make sure furnace is properly maintained and change the furnace filters
If you have a wood-burning fireplace get it cleaned and inspected by a certified chimney sweep. Built-up creosote and soot can ignite and cause a fire
Repair leaks in any drafty areas. Windows and doors may require caulking or new weather stripping, baseboards may require caulking, and electrical outlets may need insulation gaskets. These minor upgrades can save you a ton on your heating bill
Check heating ducts and clean out any large amounts of dust or animal hair
Reverse ceiling fans to force warm air downward
Check operation of smoke and CO detectors. These always need to be in good working order but the new season is a good time to check them – particularly with all of the heating elements about to be added to the house
Cover any exposed pipes that run along exterior walls or are in unheated areas with pipe insulation. Failure to do so could result in burst pipes if the temperature drops low enough
If you have an attic hatch with a pull-down ladder consider getting an insulated cover. Otherwise you’re leaving a pretty big area for cold air to get through
The best way to preserve and maintain your home’s value is with regular and consistent maintenance. So take care of problems BEFORE they become problems. If you have any questions, please give Absolute Insurance Brokers a call at 1-877-941-2266 or email us.