Winter is already here, and it’s important to prepare your home for the upcoming season. The cold weather can bring about several problems, such as drafty interiors, fallen tree limbs, and ice dams on your roof. To prevent costly damage and maintain your home’s value, it’s crucial to take care of some basic home maintenance tasks before the temperature drops.
Here’s a checklist to help you get started:
Prevent Outdoor Damage with Preventative Maintenance
Take care of your yard before winter arrives by covering or removing items that could be damaged during harsh weather, such as patio furniture, gardening supplies, hoses, and lawn equipment. Mow your lawn one last time and clear any debris or fallen limbs to give your yard a tidy appearance.
Seal Your Home to Prevent Cold Air
Check for drafts around doors and windows, as well as any areas where outside faucets or air vents penetrate the walls. Replace any worn-out caulking and weatherstripping to prevent cold air from entering your home.
Remove Window Screens
Increase natural light in your home during the winter by removing window screens before the temperature drops. This will allow solar heat gain into your home and help preserve your windowsills.
Inspect Your Roof
Hire a reliable contractor to inspect your roof for any damage or missing shingles. If repairs are needed, address them promptly to prevent further damage. If your roof needs to be replaced soon, your contractor can advise you on when to plan for it.
Prevent Frozen Pipes
Disconnect garden hoses outside and insulate pipes near windows, doors, or unheated areas of your home. If temperatures drop significantly, leave indoor faucets dripping a little to keep pipes from freezing. Keep your heater at 55 degrees or higher throughout the winter, even if you’re away from home.
Maintain Your Trees
Cut away dead branches or limbs that may cause damage to your roof or siding, and consider pruning dormant trees to promote growth when spring arrives. Proper tree maintenance each fall can prevent potential problems with your home’s exterior.
Prevent Ice Dams Ice dams can cause leaks and damage to your roof when melted snow backs up behind a dam of ice. To prevent them, make sure your gutters are clean and free of debris, ensure your attic has adequate insulation and ventilation, and consider hiring someone to remove snow from your roof after winter storms.
Indoor Pre-Winter Home Maintenance Checklist Check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors monthly, clean your fireplace, change your air filters regularly, protect your flooring with good floor mats, switch your ceiling fan direction, and ensure you have adequate emergency supplies.
Get Winter Weather Supplies Early Replace any damaged snow shovels and pick up ice melt and salt for your walkways and driveway.
Trusted Roof Replacement for Your Home’s Protection If you need a replacement roof, contact us for a free roof inspection and a same-day estimate. Best Choice Roofing is recognized by Owens Corning as one of the top 1% of roofing contractors in the United States. Learn more about our roofing services today.