Essential Winter Home Maintenance Checklist: Prepare Your Home for the Cold
Winter’s freezing temperatures, snow, and ice can take a serious toll on your home. Without proper preparation, you could face costly repairs and potential safety hazards. From heating system maintenance to insulation upgrades and winter safety precautions, here’s a comprehensive checklist to ensure your home is winter-ready.
Heating System Maintenance
Your heating system will be working overtime during the colder months. Preventative maintenance can help extend its lifespan and improve efficiency.
Before Winter:
Have your furnace or boiler inspected and serviced annually by a licensed contractor.
Replace or clean furnace filters in forced hot air systems.
Have your chimney checked and cleaned, especially if you use a wood stove or fireplace, to prevent dangerous creosote buildup.
During Winter:
Keep your fuel tanks filled and monitor levels throughout the season.
Set your thermostat no lower than 55°F to prevent freezing pipes.
Keep interior doors open to maintain even temperatures throughout the home.
Protecting Your Plumbing
Frozen pipes can lead to costly repairs and water damage. Take these steps to prevent freezing:
Drain exterior spigots before temperatures drop. If your spigot isn’t frost-proof, residual water in the pipes can freeze and cause bursting.
Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas like garages, attics, and crawl spaces. Use UL-listed heat tape for additional protection.
If temperatures plummet, open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate around pipes.
Let faucets trickle slightly to keep water moving and reduce the risk of freezing.
Learn how to shut off your water supply in case pipes do freeze and burst.
Insulation & Weatherproofing
A well-insulated home can save energy and prevent costly winter damage.
Add extra insulation in the attic to prevent ice dams. If too much heat escapes into the attic, it can melt roof snow, which refreezes and causes damaging ice dams.
Install weather stripping around doors and caulk windows to reduce drafts.
Remove window screens and install storm windows for added insulation.
Exterior & Gutter Maintenance
Snow and ice accumulation can cause structural damage. Be proactive with these steps:
Clean gutters and downspouts to prevent ice dams and water damage. Ensure downspouts direct water away from the foundation.
Trim tree branches near your home to prevent damage from heavy snow and ice.
Repair steps and handrails to improve safety in icy conditions.
Cover outdoor furniture and grills to prevent weather damage.
Winter Safety Measures
Check smoke detectors, fire alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors; replace batteries as needed.
Keep essential supplies on hand, including snow shovels, roof rakes, and ice-melting compound.
Service your snow blower and generator well before winter arrives.
Store fuel for snow blowers and generators in approved safety containers, away from heat sources.
Chimney & Fireplace Care
If you rely on a wood-burning fireplace, regular maintenance is essential for safety and efficiency.
Have your chimney inspected and cleaned yearly to prevent fire hazards.
Follow manufacturer guidelines for maintaining wood-burning or pellet stoves.
Don’t Forget About Your Foundation!
Winter’s freeze-thaw cycles can wreak havoc on your home’s foundation, causing cracks and leaks that worsen over time. Attack A Crack specializes in foundation crack repairs, waterproofing, and structural integrity solutions to keep your home protected all season long.
Worried about cracks in your basement, garage, or bulkhead? We offer FREE foundation repair consultations and inspections to help identify potential problems before they become costly repairs.
Schedule Your Free Foundation Inspection Today!
Don’t wait for winter to make small foundation issues worse. Contact Attack A Crack today to schedule your free consultation and ensure your home stays protected through the cold months ahead.
