Home Maintenance You Need to Get Done Before Winter

It seems as though the weather just cooled off and faded into fall, and now winter is around the corner. While you’re enjoying the colder days and nights of the fall season, don’t forget that winter will be here before you know it.

Winter weather brings some outdoor advantages—lower maintenance in the yard, for example. But the cold weather of winter can also bring up problems around the house if your home isn’t properly “winterized.”

While the list of projects you want to complete before the colder weather sets in can get pretty long, there are a few key things that you should do or check up on every fall. Here’s a list of things that you'll want to do annually to prepare your house for winter.

Fix Roof Leaks

Checking your roof for leaks is always a good idea, regardless of the time of year. It’s a good idea to check your roof at least once annually. Getting up there and taking a look around before winter sets in is a good idea. Sitting water from a leak can cause mold growth.

Start by heading up to the attic while it’s raining and taking a look around. You should also check spots where the insulation might be damaged. Faulty insulation may be a sign of a leaky roof.

You can often patch up roof leaks yourself or call an expert. A roofing company will probably be more expensive than a DIY job, but it’s often worth the extra money.

Maintain Your HVAC

Checking up on your HVAC system before winter comes is a good idea. You’ll obviously want to make sure that everything is okay with the heater before it’s being used everyday.

A healthy HVAC system is key to making sure that your furnace will be running efficiently all winter. Start by clearing out the area around your furnace and then changing the air filter, if needed. You’ll then want to check the furnace, thermostat, and water radiator. If applicable, you’ll also need to fill up your oil tank.

You can also call in an expert and ask for help with winterizing your HVAC system. Contractors often have good pointers and tips for getting the job done.

Weatherstrip Windows and Doors

Weatherstriping windows and doors isn’t something you may need to do every year before winter, but it’s a good idea to check on them once a year. Making sure that all weather striping is intact and in good shape is essential for proper insulation.

There are a variety of materials you can use to weatherstrip your doors and windows, but whatever you use the basic idea is the same. Weatherstriping keeps out the cold air and moisture and helps keep your house well-insulated. It can also help protect doors and windows from storm damage. Properly insulating your home can help keep your energy costs lower.

Seal Your Pavement

Sealing your pavement may not need to be done every year, but it is a good idea to inspect your driveway annually. Signs of wear and tear include cracks, holes, and faded coloring.

Cracks can come from age and wear on your paving material. Cracks in the pavement can become a big deal when you live in an area that regularly freezes every winter. Oftentimes, as the cold of winter warms up a bit during the day and then drops to freezing at night, water stuck in the fissures of the pavement can begin to crack the cement or create potholes. This is because water expands when it freezes, making the cracks wider.

Flush Your Water Heater

Flushing your water heater on a regular basis helps keep sediments from building up. Sediment buildup can make your water run more inefficient and even cause it to break.

Flushing your hot water heater isn’t an overly tough job, either. To begin, turn off the water supply and thermostat to the heater. Open the water faucets to let them drain out. You’ll then want to pump water back into the heater again, letting it run until you can’t see any evidence of sediments. 

Check Smoke Detectors

Checking your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is a good idea. The majority of people that die in home fires die because of a faulty smoke detector. In addition, thousands of people visit the hospital each year because of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Fortunately, there’s a simple preventative solution to these statistics. Run a test to make sure your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector is working properly. You should make sure you are testing regularly and that your smoke detectors are placed at appropriate intervals in your home.

Clean the Gutters

Cleaning your gutters out isn’t always something that you think of when it comes to preparing for winter, but it’s a good thing to include on your checklist.

The gutters on your house can easily become clogged with dead leaves and debris during the fall, and clogged gutters can lead to a host of problems. You should clean out your gutters on a regular basis to ensure that water is draining properly from your roof. In addition, clogged gutters can become a winter hideaway for pests and larger animals too, such as birds and squirrels.

Wrap Pipes

Wrapping your pipes may not sound like fun, but it’s a lot better than dealing with a burst pipe in the middle of the winter. Wrapping your pipes with insulation can keep them from freezing and bursting as the weather becomes colder. How do you know which type of pipes to wrap? Any pipes that are exposed and located in an uninsulated area, such as a basement or attic, should be wrapped.

Preparing your home for winter can be quite a task, especially if you live in a larger house. As with all projects, prioritize your tasks with a list and begin working your way down. If you stick to your list and keep at it, you’ll be all set by the time the winter sets in. 

Read this next: How to Update Your Bathroom in an Aging Home