Home maintenance: Winter checklist

Preparing your house for winter is an important part of home maintenance.  Winter weather can be hard on a home.  The following home maintenance tips can help make sure your home is winter-ready.

•    If you have not done so already, have your heater serviced.  Preventative maintenance with your heating system can keep it from breaking down when you can least afford it.

•    Part of home maintenance includes making sure that the pipes are well-insulated.  Nighttime temperatures can dip pretty low, causing exposed pipes to freeze and break. 

•    Make sure that your storm windows are in place to keep the warm air inside your house and the cold air out.

•    If you have unused rooms, close them off and lower the temperature to no less than 55 degrees.  You don’t need to pay to heat the unused space, but you also do not want any pipes to freeze.

•    Stockpile any fuel that you may need.  If you require propane or some other fuel, always have enough on hand for several days.  That way in case of emergency, you have some in reserve.

•    If you have a window unit, that should also be part of your home maintenance checklist.  Either cover it or remove it from the window for winter.

•    Store any firewood at least 30 feet from the house.  Storing it too close can be a fire hazard and can also attract pests (adding to your home maintenance in the spring).

•    Service your snow blower so that it is ready to go.  Also, have salt ready if you tend to use it when it snows.

•    Don’t forget holiday decorating! Check that your exterior outlets are in good condition, and make sure all of the wires in any holiday lighting are still in good shape.

This simple home maintenance tasks can help make your  your home winter-ready.  The cold weather can be very tough on a home, so make sure to have your winter home maintenance done before the weather gets too cold.