Winter Home Maintenance Checklist
Winter has settled in for much of the United States, this means snow, ice, rain, short days and grey skies across much of the country it also means a change of pace in our lives the relative calm of the fall has given way to the hustle and bustle of the holidays, only to be followed by the slow days of late winter as we wait for springs eventual arrival. It also means a change for our homes, our heating systems are turning on for the first time in months, and exteriors are beaten by winter storms. Follow this checklist this winter season to keep your home in top shape and to be ready for whatever mother nature throws your way.
Early Winter
Prepare your car
If you own a car early winter is a good time to make sure your car is ready for when the weather turns bad. Check the following to make sure your car is ready:
- Check all fluid levels and top off as necessary, make sure you top off your windshield washer fluid with cold weather fluid if you live in a very cold climate.
- Check your tires to make sure they are in good shape
- Check your battery, most auto parts stores offer free battery testing services
- Make sure your car has an ice scraper, snow brush, and snow shovel
- If in a mountainous area, make sure you have snow chains.
- Make sure your car has a winter emergency kit stocked with basic tools, a blanket, and a flashlight with fresh batteries.
Stock up on essential supplies
Before the temperatures drop too much and the weather turns bad its a good idea to stock up on essential supplies such as:
- Salt and/or sand for your walks and driveway
- Gas
- Batteries
- Non perishables
- Firewood
Inspect snow removal equipment
- Test your snowblower to make sure it will start, inspect scraper and shoes for defects like excessive wear, or corrosion. Change the oil and fill up the tank.
- Inspect shovels for defects like broken handles, cracked scoops, or broken scraping edges
- Test plow for proper operation, inspect scraper for defects like excessive wear, or corrosion
Cover your air conditioning condenser
Put a simple cover over you air conditioning condenser (outdoor unit). This prevents snow and ice from potentially damaging the unit. Note, do not cover the outdoor unit if you have a heat pump system, if you are unsure consult an HVAC professional.
Inspect wood burning appliances
There's nothing like sitting down in front of a warm wood fire on a cold winter's day, make sure your fireplace is ready by having your fireplace or woodstove and it's chimney inspected, and cleaned by a professional.
Protect outdoor furniture, and other outdoor items
Winter weather can wreck havoc on our outdoor spaces, protect furniture by either placing them in indoor storage, or by securely fastening their covers. Any items that cannot be put inside or covered, should be oriented in a way so that water flows off of them. For example, turning over pots, and chairs.
Test snow melt systems
Snow melt systems are systems that melt snow and ice off of surfaces around our homes, They are most commonly found on roofs, walks, and driveways. Test these systems before the snow flies by turning them on and making sure they warm up.
Mid and Late Winter
Clean interior vents and radiators
Cleaning the outsides of vents and radiators helps ensure that heat is getting to where it needs to go. Clean these with a simple duster and damp cloth.
Check for drafts
The cold of mid and late winter may be unpleasant to some, but it's great for finding drafts. Go around to all the windows and doors in your home on a cold day, move your hand around all contact points and make note of any drafts, if you feel a draft make sure the window or door is closed properly, if it is closing properly inspect further, look for loose and or missing weather stripping, looseness, and missing glazing.
Periodically inspect wood burning appliances
If you are using a wood burning appliance regularly, keep it in top shape by:
- Cleaning ashes out regularly
- Keeping an eye out for cracks, and/or loose bricks in the firebox and chimney
- Watching for excessive soot build up.
Clean refrigerator and freezer coils and drains
A good cold weather day project is cleaning your refrigerator and freezer coils.
Flush your hot water heater
Another good cold weather day project is flushing your hot water heater. Flushing your hot water heater removes sediment build up that accumulates at the bottom of the tank.
Inspect your roof, gutters, and downspouts after storms
Winter storms can easily damage roofs, gutters, and downspouts. After a winter storm be sure to give these a visual inspection. If the roof is not covered with snow, ice, or frost inspect it from the ground by looking for missing shingles. Also inspect gutters to make sure that haven't been blown off, and to make sure they are not sagging due to snow. Lastly make sure all downspouts are intact, and have not been damaged.
Remove icicled and snow drifts
Make sure to remove drifts that are against the house, or have drifted across a walk or driveway. Also remove all icicles before they have a chance to grow too big
Keep your walks, and driveway free of ice and snow
As winter storms bring snow and ice be sure to keep your walks and driveways clear. It is especially important to keep walks clear for pedestrians.