Your Winter Home Maintenance Checklist
Whether you are ready for winter or not, it’s time to prepare your home maintenance checklist. Keep reading to find out what should be included so your home stays warm and cozy all season long.
Remove Window Screens
This area often gets overlooked — however, this process comes with many benefits. Removing screens from windows can boost natural light and improve solar heat in the winter. Snow can also get trapped between the two and cause damage to the sill and frame. Prevent damage and welcome more light!
Make Sure Your Heating System is Ready
Your heating system will require a lot of use this winter, therefore it is important to make sure it’s working at its peak efficiency. If you have PVC vent pipes, they need to be cleared of any obstructions and boiler systems should be cleaned annually. If you use gas to heat your home, you should have it checked and cleaned every three years.
Check for Leaks and Drafts
Leaks and drafts are common in older homes and can come in through cracks in any walls, doors, and windows. This can prevent proper heating and increase energy bills — the last thing you would want in the winter. Some energy providers preform home energy audits, however, you can perform these yourself as well. Make sure to seal leaks and drafts with durable materials for them to last through the toughest of winters.
Inspect low-hanging tree branches
Low-hanging tree branches can be the cause of large repairs to your home. If you have tree branches hanging over any part of your home, you should trim the limbs to prevent any future damage. Heavy snowfall can cause the branches to weigh down and even snap. The best case scenario, your house temporarily loses power, the worst — it can break a window or fall on a car. Any damage is not worth the risk of low-hanging branches.
A home maintenance checklist is vital in preparing your home for the winter! Save this checklist for next year to make sure that you keep you and your family warm, prevent higher than needed energy bills and protect from cold weather damage to your home.
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