It’s that time of year again—winter is coming. If you aren’t ready for winter, you could find yourself stuck inside until spring rolls around. To prevent this from happening, make sure you’ve taken care of all these critical home maintenance tasks before temperatures drop. These include checking your smoke detectors, seeing whether you need to buy fire pits, and more.
Clean Out Gutters
Cleaning your gutters is a simple task that can help avoid severe damage to your home in the winter. If you don’t clean them out, the weight of the snow will cause the gutter to sag and eventually drop down onto your roof, causing leaks. The sludge that builds up at the bottom of these gutters can also cause rusting, rotting, and mold growth—not things we want to deal with in this freezing season. When cleaning out your drains, be sure to check for any leaks in the pipes and make any necessary repairs. This will help eliminate problems before they happen.
Check Smoke Detectors
It’s time to check your smoke detectors and ensure they work correctly. This is important because you never know when a fire could break out in your home, so it’s best to be prepared for it by having working smoke alarms in every room of your house. If any batteries are low or dead, replace them immediately so that you can rest assured, knowing that if there were an emergency, you would be immediately alerted. You should also check each detector monthly during the winter, as cold weather can affect their performance and cause false alarms (so long as your batteries are acceptable).
Buy Fire Pits
One of the best ways to keep your home warm during the winter is to buy fire pits. Fire pits are not only fun for the whole family, but they are also a fantastic way to entertain guests. They’re super easy to set up and use, so you don’t have to worry about complications when it comes time for you and your family or friends to enjoy their company. You can even use them both indoors and outdoors—no matter the weather conditions outside, you can still sit around the fire with comfort.
Clear Debris From Your Yard
Leaves, branches, and other debris that has fallen in your yard can create an eyesore and block water drainage. Make sure to clear all leaves, twigs, pine needles, and other debris, so they don’t cause any issues when winter comes. This is especially important if you have a roof with gutters; ensure the drains are cleared of all leaves or snow so they don’t clog up and break down during winter. Clear your yard of all debris and keep it cleared throughout the year. This will allow you to easily maintain your home in the future and help prevent any issues or damage that could occur.
Inspect and Service Heating Equipment
- Check your furnace filter. If it’s dirty, replace it.
- Inspect the blower(s). Ensure they’re running freely (with no unusual noise) and that the blades are not bent or cracked.
- Inspect the ductwork for any obstructions and leaks.
- Examine your thermostat to make sure it is in working order.
Insulate Pipes and Water Heaters
Pipes and water heaters are two of the most common places for cold air to enter your home. You can use foam insulation, pipe sleeves, or a hot water heater blanket to keep them warm. Insulating the pipes allows them to retain their internal warmth, so they don’t freeze in the winter. This will also help prevent any leaks due to freezing pipes. In addition, you can insulate the water heater with a blanket or sleeve. This will keep it warm and prevent the loss of energy caused by heat escaping through the walls of your water heater.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is a lot to consider when winterizing your home. However, if you take the time and ensure that these simple things are done before the cold weather hits, you should be in good shape! Let us know if we missed anything by commenting below.
