Winter home maintenance can seem like a drag, especially after doing all those fun things during the fall season. Now that the coldest time of year is on your doorstep, you’d rather snuggle up by the fire and sip some hot chocolate. But once you see how quickly you can check items off your to-do list, you’ll be able to enjoy the fire that much more with complete peace of mind.
Here are the 10 things you need to do right now to get your home ready for winter.
10 winter home maintenance musts
Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors work
Because you’re probably not ready to move too far away from the fireplace, let’s check off your winter home maintenance list from the inside out — starting with your smoke detectors. You’ll be using one or more heat sources this winter, which means lots of harmful exhaust if not vented properly. So grab some new batteries and replace the old ones in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Press the test button to make sure everything works, and then ensure proper placement — smoke detectors on ceilings or high on walls, and carbon monoxide detectors near the floor (remember, carbon monoxide is heavier than air so it fills spaces from the floor up).
Check this one off your list, and sip a little peace of mind.
Reverse your ceiling fans
While you’re checking your smoke detectors, flip the switch on your ceiling fans. Why? Warmer air rises, which means it’s going to be hanging out close to the ceiling. Make sure your fans are set to push air down. This pulls the warmer air near the ceiling and pushes it into your living spaces, which helps you heat more efficiently.
Make sure your sump pump still pumps
Soggy basements are no joke. Flooded basements are even worse, but winter is the wet season, which means you need to have proper drainage to handle all the water coming your way. The only thing standing between your basement and floating knick-knacks is your sump pump. It sits in a pit in your basement and collects any water encroaching on your foundation. Once it fills to a certain level, a float-activated lever switches on the pump, which then pumps all the water out and away through some tubing. If the sump pump fails, it won’t switch on — instead, the water will continue to rise and fill your basement.
A simple way to test the operation of your sump pump is to pour a few gallons of water into the pit. If it switches on and pumps the water away, you’re all set. If it doesn’t, call a plumber or someone who can service your pump.
Drain water from your water heater
If your water heater isn’t drained on occasion, sediment will collect in the bottom of it. This creates hot spots on gas-operated heaters and buildup on the lower heating element on electric heaters. These can lead to heating failure, leaks, and a shorter water heater lifespan. A simple fix is to simply drain your water heater, which will drain most of the sediment that’s built up over the years.
Insulate water lines
When temperatures really drop, the water lines inside your home can burst. How? Well, your water lines usually start in the basement (where the cold air likes to hang out), and then they work their way under your floors and behind your walls. Temperatures in the 20s, 10s, and below can easily freeze the water inside uninsulated supply lines, causing them to rupture. Repair costs can be really high, not to mention the lifestyle disruption this sort of thing can cause for you and your family. But there’s a simple way to avoid it all, and that’s to insulate your water supply lines. You can use rigid foam board to build insulated chases along the length of your pipes. You can also use insulation that fits over your pipes, for added peace of mind.
Check and clean your heating systems
No matter how you heat your home, make sure that your main and supplemental heating systems work properly. Get your HVAC or boiler system cleaned and serviced if needed. If you use additional heat sources such as a wood stove or fireplace, make sure your chimney and exhaust systems are cleaned and inspected for proper operation. This should be a big part of your winter home maintenance plan since your entire household relies on your heating systems.
Find and seal any air leaks
Air leaks not only cause chilly drafts but can lead to inflated utility bills. No matter how many doors and windows you have, check them all by placing your hand close to the frame. If you feel cold air moving, you’ve got an air leak. It’s usually caused by a worn or missing seal, but in older homes, it’s probably caused by old, single-pane windows. If the former is the case, install new seals from your local hardware store. If you have older windows, you can either upgrade to newer ones or buy a simple kit that allows you to seal off the entire window with clear insulation.
The little things really add up in the winter, so it’s important to seal every air leak you find.
Inspect the insulation in your attic
Some homes just seem chillier than others. The problem isn’t with the heating system. Instead, it’s usually due to poor attic insulation. This causes warm air to escape from the home more quickly. Not only do you feel cold all the time, but your heating system has to work harder to keep you comfy. Go up in the attic and check how much insulation you have. If there are only a few inches or more, you’re in for a cold season. This handy chart shows how much insulation you need in your attic, and the good news is it’s fairly easy to add more. You can do it yourself using materials from your local hardware store, or call professionals to do it for you. Adding attic insulation will go a long way in keeping you warm this winter.
Store your outdoor hoses
Don’t make the mistake of leaving your hoses out for winter. They’re vulnerable to freezing and bursting, too, and if you leave them connected they can damage your hose bibs, supply lines, and even your foundation. This is probably one of the easiest yet most effective ways of protecting your home during the winter. Simply disconnect your hoses from the house, stretch them out fully so they can drain, and then store them away.
Clean your gutters
Ensuring proper drainage is critical during the wet season. It’s likely that fall left quite a bit of debris in your gutters, which will lead to clogs and drainage problems if left alone. Your gutters can tear away from your roof structure, your downspouts won’t spout, and overflowing gutters can spill water too close to your home and damage your foundation. But like with everything on this winter home maintenance checklist, a little effort goes a long way in preventing major problems down the road. Grab your ladder and a bucket, or call your local gutter cleaning service to help you clear any debris and ensure things flow right this winter.
Reach out to see what else you can do to protect your home
Help is here year-round. Reach out to Team Hadley for your free annual mortgage review. We’ll help you get cash out for winter renovation projects, show you how much you can save, or assist with any lending needs you have.