I spent some time this past weekend preparing our home for winter. It was a beautiful fall day, so I managed to complete all of my fall maintenance tasks. Taking care of your home, especially the outside stuff, before the weather gets cold and miserable is well worth the time and effort.
Below are some maintenance items you may want to consider to better care for and protect your home for the upcoming winter season.
Remember, as with everything, know your limits and skill level. If you are not comfortable with any of these tasks or if accessing your roof is unsafe, please hire a professional.
Outdoor Maintenance
· If you have an irrigation or sprinkler system, you want to have it serviced and drained before the temperatures drop into the freezing range.
· Remove your garden hoses. If your faucets cannot drain, they can end up bursting a pipe due to freezing. Even frost-free faucets can freeze if the water is not allowed to drain due to frozen water in a garden hose.
· Remove pumps and drain any outside water features, such as garden ponds.
· Drain utility sinks and winterize them if you have an unheated garage.
· Seal any gaps or cracks on the exterior of your home. Look for areas around your windows and doors and any vents, pipes, or trim.
· Inspect your window screens. Remove them and have them repaired and ready for spring.
· Inspect and replace any damaged or worn weather stripping around doors and windows.
· Clean your air conditioner coils and replace damaged insulation on your refrigerant line. Air conditioners do not need to be covered. Covers trap moisture, which can result in rust and corrosion.
Roof
· Inspect your roof from the ground with binoculars, looking for any damage. Look for any damage to the shingles. Make sure that any tree branches that may be touching the roof are trimmed back.
· Clean your gutters and downspouts after the leaves have finished falling from the trees. Even if you have gutter guards, small debris can fill up in the valleys or at the downspouts. Plugged or restricted gutters can lead to ice dams in the winter. Ensure your downspouts and discharge chutes are unobstructed and directed away from the foundation.
Heating, Exhaust, and Ventilation
· Clean any fresh air vents or combustion make-up air for your heating system.
· Clean your dryer vents. If you have any flexible plastic vents, consider replacing the material with solid metal smooth bore dryer venting.
· Inspect and clean the vents, filters, and core in your air exchanger system if one is installed.
· Clean out any debris or hornet or wasp nests from your kitchen or bathroom exhaust vents, and make sure the dampers work freely. Do this for all external vents.
· Have your furnace or boiler professionally maintained. A clean system will operate more efficiently and reliably.
· If your thermostat has batteries, replace them. If your batteries fail in the middle of the night or while you are away on a winter vacation, your furnace will not function.
· Replace your furnace filter. Whether you use a 12-month, 3-month, or 1-month filter, it is essential to change them on schedule. A plugged filter will keep your furnace from operating correctly.
· If you have a wood or gas fireplace, have it professionally cleaned and maintained. Don’t forget about the chimney or through-wall exhaust venting.
Interior Maintenance
· Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
· Clean your refrigerator and freezer cooling coils.
Summary
Your home is probably your most important asset. Maintained and adequately functioning home systems will help manage costs and keep your home looking good. Although the above list is only partially comprehensive, it will give you a great start and some guidance.
At HomePro Inspections, our home inspectors are trained to inspect all areas of the home. Deferred maintenance can turn a relatively simple project into a more serious repair if left unchecked. Any issues found are documented in your home inspection report and recommended for resolution by a qualified professional.
Visit our website to learn more or to schedule your home inspection in the Rochester, Owatonna, and Faribault, MN areas. You can contact us today at (507) 202-8942 or utilize our online “Schedule Now” feature to set up an appointment.