We have beautiful weather this time of year, but winter is coming, so now is the perfect time to take care of those outdoor maintenance items before the snow begins to fly. Taking care of your home, especially the outside stuff before the weather gets cold and miserable, is well worth the time and effort.
The following are a few maintenance items that the professionals at HomePro Inspections would like you to consider in order 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 uncomfortable performing any of the inspection items on the checklist, especially when it comes to accessing your roof, gutters, or downspouts, please hire a professional.
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 pile 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.
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 freeze and burst a pipe. 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 from any outside water features, such as garden ponds.
· If you have an unheated garage, drain utility sinks and winterize them.
· Seal any gaps or cracks on the exterior of your home. Look for areas around your windows and doors, as well as any vents, pipes, or trim.
· Inspect your window screens. Please 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 can trap moisture, which can result in rust and corrosion.
Heating, Exhaust, and Ventilation
· Clean your home heating system’s fresh air vents and combustion make-up air vents.
· 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.
· Remove debris, such as hornet and wasp nests, from your kitchen or bathroom exhaust vents, and ensure that 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 the batteries fail in the middle of the night or while you are away on a winter vacation, your furnace will stop functioning.
· Replace your furnace filter. Whether it’s a 12-month, 3-month, or 1-month filter, it’s essential to change them on schedule. A plugged filter will keep your furnace from operating efficiently and 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 your most important asset. Maintained and properly functioning home systems will help you manage costs and keep your home looking great. 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 house. If left unchecked, deferred maintenance can turn a relatively simple project into a more serious repair. 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, by email, or use our online “Schedule Now” feature to schedule an appointment.