Your Winter Home Checklist

As the days get shorter and the temperatures get colder, you may start to think of the upcoming holidays and snuggling up under a warm blanket at home. But before you start sipping hot cocoa, there are some projects around the house you may want to take care of first.

Here are some home maintenance tasks to consider completing before you settle in for the cold winter.

Prevent Freezing Pipes

Things to consider for your home:

Exposure to cold air can make your pipes burst, which can cause significant water damage in your home.

• Insulation for your water lines
• Add freeze-prevention heat strips to water lines 
• Hose bib covers
• Plumbing inspection
• Home winterization

This can be done by a professional or can be done yourself!

Clean Out Your Gutters

Fall isn’t the only time to clean gutters. It’s equally important to keep them clear and working properly throughout the winter months. 

Heavy snow can block gutters and pull them away from the roof. Melting snow and ice can freeze. This can result in roof damage from water accumulation. Make it a point to remove snow, ice, and any other debris from both gutters and downspouts promptly and often.

CO2 & Smoke Detectors

During winter, with doors and windows sealed, air circulation in your home decreases. This can lead to an accumulation of gases like carbon monoxide. Heating systems, which dry out indoor air, can accelerate the spread of fires. To mitigate these risks, regularly check and maintain your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Testing these units is simple, usually involving a test button. Now is also an ideal time to replace old batteries.

Heating System Check Up

Before using your heater,  it’s advised by most manufacturers and service professionals to get an annual furnace tune-up or inspection. This not only ensures safety but also involves preventive maintenance to avoid breakdowns during cold spells.

Things to consider for your home:

• Replace air filter
•  Heating tune-up
• Air duct cleaning

Seal Windows & Doors

To reduce heat loss and cut energy expenses, address leaks around windows and doors. Use a lit candle or an electronic heat detector to locate drafts in your home.

Enhance your home’s energy efficiency with these steps:

• Seal select windows using plastic or an insulator kit.
• Eliminate door leaks with foam or weather stripping.
• Install storm doors on frequently used exterior doors.

Reverse Ceiling Fans

This is an easy one that doesn’t cost a penny! You can give your heating system a helping hand by reversing the motor on any ceiling fans to make them run in clockwise direction. This will force warm air that rises near the ceiling down to the living area. And guess what? This simple step may be enough to allow you to adjust your thermostat to a lower temperature, so you can save energy and heating costs.

Winter Home Maintenance Professionals

Maintaining a home in the winter with a busy schedule is a big task. If you need help or need repairs for with your plumbing or heating at home, just give Choate’s a call 901-755-4797. We are here to help!