As the winter holidays approach, it's the perfect time to make sure your home is winter and vacant proof. A few simple maintenance tasks can help keep you warm, safe, and avoid costly repairs. Let’s go over some essential winter home maintenance to-dos that will keep your home cozy and sound this season.
- Check Your Heating System
Before you crank up the heat, take a quick look at your furnace and ducts. Replace the air filter, and if you can, consider getting a tune-up to make sure everything’s running smoothly. If you're heading out of town, it's a good idea to set the thermostat to 65°F or lower so the heat doesn’t keep turning on unnecessarily.
- Clear Your Gutters
Clean out any leaves or debris from your gutters to prevent ice dams and water damage. If you don’t plan on doing it yourself, gardeners or handymen can often handle this job. You don’t always need to call in a roofer unless the roof is really high, or you’ve got tricky, multi-level gutters that require extra safety measures.
- Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Have you noticed that batteries tend to run low in cold weather? That’s because cold temperatures can affect how well electricity circulates. Now's the perfect time to test them and replace the batteries. This is especially important as you’ll be using your heating system more during the winter months.
- Seal Gaps and Insulate
Check around windows and doors for drafts. If you feel any cold air sneaking in, use weather stripping or caulk to seal the gaps and keep the warmth inside.
Taking care of these simple winter tasks will make your home feel a lot warmer and safer all season long. It's as easy as 1-2-3 to save on energy costs and stay cozy!
Author: Susanna Leung
Susanna Leung’s goal as a real estate professional with Haylen Group is to help her first-time home buying clients find that perfect home where their families can grow, thrive, and live their dreams in the United States. She applies her experience in remodeling, resource networking, negotiations, and advanced marketing to provide her clients with dedicated, full coverage service.
