Winters are harsh and expensive. With freezing temperatures come all kinds of damages and costly repairs. Depending on where you live, there may be lots of snow and short, dark days ahead of you.
Winterizing the home and thinking ahead can save you all kinds of trouble. So, here are some few winter maintenance tips you can do now.
Pest-proof the house
Many people have issues with pests in the winter. When the temperature drops, they come indoors to stay warm. Then, within a few weeks, they have multiplied and become a serious problem.
You can avoid an infestation by doing a little pest-proofing around the house. First, tidy up and do a deep clean. Store food in sealed containers and keep the house clean, especially the kitchen. Then, make sure that your window screens are in good shape. Seal cracks in the walls and cover vents with steel mesh. Don’t forget to look under the deck and stuff holes with steel wool.
If you’re currently dealing with a pest problem, reach out to Pest Control Port Perry or another company near you. Don’t wait. The sooner you exterminate, the better.
Get ready for snow removal
Now is the time to get what you need for the first snowfall. If you don’t have one already, get a shovel, and get some road salt. It may not have snowed yet, but you definitely don’t want to be stuck in the snow before a day at work or school.
Having the right equipment is also important for the safety of your walkway. When the weather is icy, you might slip and fall as you walk in or out of the house. Get some salt now so you’ll be ready.
Clean the gutters
Cleaning out the gutters is so important for the maintenance of your home. When gutters are clogged, rainwater fails to flow away from the house, which may cause flooding and additional damage to the roof. All that snow that accumulates in the winter will melt in the spring, so you want to be sure that your gutters are in good shape.
If you haven’t already, empty out your gutters now. Grab a ladder and set it firmly on the ground, against the side of your house. Then, put on a pair of gardening gloves and scoop everything out of the gutters and into a bucket. When you’re done scooping, use a garden hose to rinse the gutters out. Finish by checking for cracks, leaks, and standing water.
Clean the dryer vent
When is the last time you checked on your dryer vent? Dryer vents get clogged with a shocking amount of lint, which pose a fire hazard.
Clean the lint filter in your dryer, then disconnect the duct at the back of the dryer. Use a brush and a vacuum to get all the lint out from the duct, the back of the dryer, and the vent in the wall. Finish the job by turning on the dryer for 15 minutes.
Check on the attic
Attic insulation is super important when it comes to energy efficiency and air quality. See if you can poke your head into the attic and check on it. If the insulation is fluffy and dry, it’s in good shape. If it’s crusty, damp, flattened, or dirtied in any way, you should replace it. Good insulation will make you feel more comfortable indoors and save you money on your energy bills.
Fix drafts in the windows and doors
Sealing drafts will keep the warm air in, saving you money on your heating bill. It can also keep mice and bugs from crawling into the house. Put some weatherstripping to the bottoms of your doors to the outside and improve the insulation of your windows.
Seal cracks in the window frames with caulking or wood epoxy. You can also add a plastic film or some locks to help retain heat. Switch to heavy drapes and close them at night.
Drain exterior faucets
Drain exterior faucets and put the hose away before the temperature freezes. Frozen pipes can burst and crack, causing serious leakages and damages. If you leave the garden hose out, it might crack, forcing you to buy a new one sooner than you could have. Take a minute to shut off the water and let the faucet drain. Remove the hose, drain it, then store it in a shed or in a garage.
Maintain your HVAC system
Change or clean the filter in your HVAC system and see if the machine needs any maintenance. The filter gets clogged with dust and debris over time, which makes your system work harder than it needs to. Cleaning it will improve the air quality in your home and make your system more efficient. Call a technician for an inspection if you need help.