Winter brings about many ways to cozy up at home and spend quality time with family and friends. But as homeowners, we’re well aware that there are home maintenance to-dos that we must complete in order to optimize for the cold weather season. To make it easy on you this winter, we’ve put together a list that will ensure your home is in great shape for the colder weather months.
To prepare, we recommend the following:
Prepare the exterior
1 | Gutters cleaning
Your gutters must be cleared from debris, especially after all the leaves have fallen. A debris-clogged gutter can cause a leaky roof or water damage. Keep in mind that gutter cleaning is one of the most dangerous home maintenance projects. You may prefer to hire an insured professional to do the job twice a year. You can watch a full tutorial on gutter-cleaning here.
2 | Spout off
Shut off the outdoor water supply. Remove hoses and shut the valve leading to outside faucets to prevent the possibility of freezing.
4 | Rain gear
Make sure that your windows, doors and the area around the foundation are watertight. Caulk any openings. You can find a video tutorial on caulking here.
5 | Well watch
If applicable to your home, remove leaves, grass clippings and debris from window and area well drains.
Prepare the interior
1 | Thermostat prep
To minimize strain on your heating system, we recommend a temperature of 68 degrees during colder weather months. To achieve savings and minimize wear and tear while you’re away at work or sleeping, lower the temperature by 8 or 10 degrees. If you’re going away for a long period, set your thermostat to 50 to 55 degrees to prevent pipes from freezing.
2 | Wind proof
If doors or windows become the source of air leaks or cool drafts, caulk or install weather stripping. You can find a video tutorial on caulking here.
3 | Pump check
If your home has a sump pump, locate the basin. (It’s usually in a crawlspace or basement). Make sure the sump pump is in the upright position and ensure the float ball is able to move freely. To test the pump, pour water into the pit. After the pump activates, ensure it discharges the water. If it does not discharge water properly, check the outlet connection. If it’s still not working, contact a plumber.
Learn more
Looking for additional ways to keep your new Drees home in tip top shape, check out the Handy Homeowner section of our website here or view how-to videos below:
- How to replace your furnace filter
- How to clean your dryer vent
- How to caulk your windows or bathroom
- How to clean gutters
- How to maintain your garbage disposal
- How to seal your concrete
- How to properly care for your lawn
- How to test your air conditioner
