We’re already inching our way towards the middle of winter, and if you haven’t gotten started on your winterizing checklist yet, now is the time to do so! By having a winter maintenance plan and checklist in place, you’re safeguarding your house against any worst-case scenarios that could take place during the cold months—and you’ll want to trust us when we say there are a lot of things that could go wrong in winter. Prevent the worst from happening by getting your checklist together. Below, we’ve included a few items to check off, and you’ll be smooth sailing until spring comes along!
Heating Systems
During the winter, most people in the country would be in quite a bind if their heating went out, especially if it were to happen during a snowstorm. Heaters can be difficult to fix, and waiting for a repair company to come and save the day could take a few days. Avoid the stress of having your heater or hot water heater go out by doing some inspection and preparation ahead of the game. If you’re familiar with your appliances, you can do the inspection yourself. Otherwise, hire an expert.
Roof and Gutters
Don’t neglect your roof or gutters this season. If your gutters are filled with leaves and debris or have withstood any sort of damage during the previous months, tend to them as soon as possible. If your gutters aren’t functioning properly, the water from rain and snow storms won’t have a way to drain which could lead to flooding.
Your roof is also very important to keep water damage and poor insulation from happening. If you don’t fix any damage, it can cause a lot of problems in the future. Also, selling a house with code violations, like a broken roof, can and will make it harder to sell. Tending to those issues earlier in the game is your best option!
Insulation
Homeowners should learn the warning signs of a structural ceiling crack so that if they see one, they will know to contact a foundation repair contractor immediately. Most foundation problems including some ceiling cracks–are caused by differential settlement, and differential settlement is mainly caused by poor drainage around the foundation. Therefore, you can prevent foundation trouble by getting groundwater under control.
Even if your heating systems are functioning perfectly, they’re only going to be as useful as your insulation is. Insulation is what keeps the warmth in and the chill out. Some key places to make sure that your insulation is doing its job include the attic, ducts, basement, crawl spaces, doors, and windows! Having this item ready for winter will keep your home cozy and your energy bills low. Additionally, if you want to sell your home fast down the road, making sure your home is well insulated is going to be especially beneficial.
Landscaping
Taking good care of your landscaping before the snow starts falling is going to ensure your yard is both clean and safe during the next few months. If you have a lot of trees around your home, trimming them is going to help prevent dead branches from breaking and falling during snowstorms. You can also help keep dormant plants insulated by mulching around gardens and shrubs. This is just a few of the more important checklist items to consider before the new year. Assess your home and its specific needs so that you can adjust the list as needed. Check back to Dwelling Decor for more ideas on how to keep your home looking good and running smoothly this winter!
