Prevent costly repairs with this winter home maintenance checklist.
Preparing Your Home for Winter
Winter in New England is a time of year when maintenance around the house becomes especially important. New England’s cold weather has temperatures dropping to freezing and below, replete with winter storms and heavy snow during the long winter months.
To ensure that your home is prepared for whatever winter may bring, it’s important your home is properly maintained before the cold weather sets in. Here is a brief winter home maintenance checklist and tips for preventative maintenance to help prevent costly repairs.
Pro Tip:
No need to manage these tasks yourself!
While many of these home and yard tasks may seem simple enough to do on your own, hiring a professional can save you time and ensure the job is done right.
1. Check Your Home’s Roof and Gutters
The first thing you should do to prepare your home for winter is to check your roof and gutters. Snow and ice buildup on your roof or ice dams forming in your gutters can lead to costly roof damage as well as water leaks inside the house. Make sure that any loose shingles are replaced and that all gutters are clear of debris so they can drain properly.
2. Inspect Your Windows and Doors
Make sure all windows and doors seal properly by checking them inside and outside the house. If you see or feel any gaps or areas where air leaks, heat loss, or cold breeze can get through, use caulk or weatherstripping to keep out drafts. This will help keep cold air out while also preventing warm air from escaping.
3. Furnace Maintenance
Have a professional inspect your furnace before the cold weather sets in so that your heating system is running as efficiently as possible throughout the winter season. This will not only save on energy costs but also ensure your furnace won’t break down when you need it most—during those brutally cold days of winter.
4. Prevent Frozen Pipes
Cold temperatures can cause pipes to freeze, particularly during power outages. Prevent frozen pipes by insulating them – wrap them in insulation or use heat tape. With exterior pipes, check all exposed plumbing pipes around the exterior of your home for insulation or proper wrapping where needed, and shut off water valves leading into outdoor faucets.
5. Have a Reliable Snow Plowing Service
Between the snow and ice, it seems like every surface is covered in a dangerous layer of slipperiness. In order to combat this, many take it upon themselves to shovel and remove snow from their sidewalks and driveways. But this can be a daunting task. That’s where snow removal services come in – professional services equipped to clear your property quickly and safely of heavy snow, so you don’t have to worry about it yourself.
Pro Tip:
No need to do this yourself!
Have Green Horizons plow your driveway and clean walkways and paths.
Wrapping up
As homeowners here in New England know, winters can be tough – especially if you don’t take proper precautions before things start getting really cold outside. Follow these 5 simple winter home maintenance tips to prevent high energy bills or severe damage, and rest assured that your home will stay warm and cozy even during the chilly (and freezing temperatures) winter months ahead. It’s worth investing in professional home maintenance and lawn care service.
Do you want year-round lawn care and yard care, landscaping, home maintenance, and home repair services?
Green Horizons Landscaping is the solution to your landscaping needs all year round, with professional service for lawn care and property maintenance, as well as snow-plowing in winter.