Even as homeowners have to perform maintenance work the whole year, preparing the home for winter is important to keep it warm and cozy. The maintenance work they perform should keep the home well-heated and prevent damage when the cold season comes.
Some jobs are straightforward, while others require a certain level of planning. With this, homeowners should perform these home improvement jobs long before winter comes. Here are some of the maintenance works they need to complete before the cold season comes.
Check the Heating System
The first thing that homeowners should check is the heating system. They should make sure it’s in proper working condition. Homeowners should check the efficiency of the boiler and the accuracy of the pressure gauge. They should also make sure that the heating system provides heat for the whole house,
The homeowner should also check the thermostat and radiators. If the heating system has an exhaust pipe, they should also ensure it’s insulated to avoid issues when it freezes. If possible, they can install a smart thermostat to save money from heating costs and ensure that the heating system works efficiently.
Additionally, they should hire a professional to work on the heating system if they find something wrong with it or it’s not working properly.
Draft-Proof the Home
Checking all the windows and doors is necessary to make sure they are sealed for winter. Homeowners should make sure that heated air stays inside the house when winter comes. This means making sure to seal all exterior openings of the house.
Homeowners should also check hard-to-reach areas, such as the basement and attic. These should check for any signs of a draft in these areas and seal them if they find any. Sealing these openings also keeps pests outside the home. Keeping these pests outside ensures that the family of the homeowner stays healthy during winter.
At this point, the homeowner should hire a professional to check and control the tick and mosquito population in the home. Since the home will be a warm place to stay over the winter, homeowners should make sure to eliminate these pests, especially if there’s a pet in the house.
Check the Exterior of the Home
After checking the interior, homeowners should check the exterior of the house. They should check the exterior of the home. Homeowners should check for any broken gutters and downpipes, leaking roofs, and cracks on the walls. They should also make sure that water does not go into the home’s foundations to prevent complications in the future.
The homeowners should make sure that the gutters and downpipes have no obstructions. Clearing blocked gutters and downpipes allows water to run freely down to the ground. It also prevents the formation of ice dams on the roof. When ice dams build up on the roof, they eventually cause a major disaster, such as the ice finding itself in between the roof’s shingles. This can cause water to enter the attic of the house and damage the ceiling. It can also cause a hole in the roof, which results in heated air escaping outside.
If necessary, homeowners should also have the gutters and downpipes repaired ifthey see cracks or signs of damage. Similarly, they should patch up any holes in the roof before winter arrives.
Insulate the Pipes
Insulating water pipes can increase water temperature and reduce heat loss, which results in lower energy expenses. This situation is even more important when winter comes since it’s necessary to prevent water from freezing. When water freezes inside the pipe, it expands and can damage the pipe.
Aside from the pipes inside the house, homeowners should also insulate any outdoor pipes. They have several options in the insulation, including rubber insulation, glass wool insulation, polyethylene pipe wraps, and fiberglass pipe wraps. Homeowners can also turn off these pipes as an added measure to prevent them from bursting during winter.
Check the Garden
Removing weak branches in trees can prevent them from breaking off during windy winter weather and damage the windows and roof of the house. Aside from trimming the trees, they should also clean paths of weeds and moss since they can make these areas slippery.
Additionally, they should make sure to have de-icing salt ready in case freezing weather comes. They can spread the ice on the paths to reduce the risk of slipping. Buying a snow shovel is also a good investment to clear paths of snow that accumulate overnight.
Performing home maintenance work to prepare for winter is a good way for homeowners to ensure their family stays safe while spending winter in the comfort of their homes.