Winter is no longer coming. Winter is here. Which means, there’s a lot to do to prep your home for the long, cold, and dark days ahead. These winter home maintenance tasks are essential so that you can keep your home, and your family, safe, warm, and dry all winter long.
Replace Your Furnace Air Filter
It’s important to replace your furnace air filter monthly as winter rages on. You’ll want to install a new filter now, though, to make sure your furnace is operating optimally from the very beginning. Replacing your furnace air filter in a timely manner not only helps to keep your home comfy and cozy throughout the winter, it also helps to keep your energy bills down when the coldest weather hits. This alone makes it a top task to include on your winter home maintenance list.
Check Your Insulation
Now is a good time to check the insulation on your home. Your insulation is essential in keeping the warm air from escaping your home and allowing cold air to rush in. Don’t forget to also consider installing insulation on wall outlets along exterior walls for your home. These are surprising sources of cold air flow into your home that can create unpleasant drafts. Homes that have blown insulation along the exterior may often discover that the insulation settles over time leaving areas with far more exposure than you’d like.
Insulate Drop Down Attic Steps
If your attic steps drop down into your home, it can create a situation that is ripe for heat to escape through the attic driving your utility bills higher and increasing your potential for ice dams and other possible problems. It’s a simple task that isn’t expensive and takes surprisingly little time to accomplish. Yet it can deliver substantial results when it comes to helping you keep your home comfortable this winter without raising your energy bill in the process.
Get Your Chimney Inspected
Whether you use your chimney for fires or not, it’s a good idea to have your chimney inspected every winter. There are all kinds of problems that can occur with your chimney from crumbling bricks and/or mortar to critters building nests inside your chimney, to possible currents of frigid air creating a pathway into your home. The bottom line is that tending to your chimney every year can help you identify signs of problems before they become fire hazards or worse.
Winterize Water Spigots
No one, not one single person wants to go through the agony of a home flooded due to the pipes bursting to or from an exterior water spigot. These types of pipe bursts can create a surprising amount of water damage long before you realize something is wrong – not to mention absurd water bills and repair costs in the process. Winterizing your water spigot is a preventative measure so that this doesn’t happen. It can save you thousands of dollars in the long-term and doesn’t cost much time, money, or technical prowess to do on your own.
Repairs and Hang Christmas Lights/Decorations
‘Tis the season to spread a little holiday cheer with an exterior holiday display. Getting your lights in working order, making sure the decorations are all properly secured, and letting your holiday spirit show are all outstanding uses of your time and energy as you tackle your December home maintenance list.
Winter home maintenance doesn’t have to be all work and no play. Tackle the more difficult tasks first and then reward yourself with the items on your list that are more personally rewarding. The key is to keep your home and family safe and warm throughout the long, cold months ahead.
Don’t forget to contact Mid America Mortgage with your mortgage related questions and concerns!
