Your home should be well prepared for the winter months that hit most parts of the world in the latter stages of the year. It’s always good to be proactive with your efforts when it comes to winterizing your home to prevent any issues that could result in damage to your property that could have been avoided.
With that being said, if you’ve yet to do much in the way of winterizing your home this year, then here are some helpful tips to keep on top of your home’s maintenance this year. From furnace maintenance to adding or replacing insulation, here are the best tips to follow.
1. Look at what insulation is missing or needs replacing
Insulation is certainly something you want to be mindful of when it comes to keeping your home warm and in good shape. It’s worth looking at what insulation your home currently has in place, as every house is going to have something different.
Some homes, for example, will have insulation packed into every crevice possible, while others might have some, and a few may have existing insulation that needs replacing.
It’s good to take stock of what your home has available and what you might need to look at getting installed or replaced in order to make your home more energy efficient.
It’s not just keeping your home warm, either, but making sure that your home stays cool during the summer months. Insulation is a great way of doing both, so it’s something you’ll want to add to your home.
2. Prep your exteriors by trimming back shrubs and trees
Exteriors should be prepped in the run-up to winter, especially when things can grow quite substantially throughout the warmer months of the year.
Prepping your exteriors by trimming back shrubs and trees, for example, is a great way of helping keep your home in good shape, externally, of course. Trimming back shrubs and trees will also protect your home from damage.
One thing that can come from overgrown trees and shrubs is the appearance of pests. If they’re able to hop from trees and shrubs and onto your property, then this could cause even more problems as a result. So with that in mind, try to trim back any shrubs or tree growth as far back as possible to ensure you’re keeping the risk of damage or pests on the property to a minimum.
3. Furnace maintenance is crucial
Furnace maintenance is important, especially when it’s responsible for heating your home. It’s always good to be mindful of what you need maintenance-wise to help keep it in good condition for years to come.
With furnace maintenance, you can improve the efficiency of the furnace itself, as well as help enhance its safety and extend its lifespan.
With regular servicing, you can help to prevent costly repairs and help to identify any potential gas leaks that might come as a result of a faulty appliance. A furnace replacement company is worth having if you’ve noticed your furnace isn’t performing well and perhaps needs replacing soon.
4. Keep gutters clean and inspected routinely
Gutters should be cleaned regularly as well as inspected on a regular basis. When it comes to keeping your gutters cleaned, you may want to do this yourself or get a professional in so as to avoid climbing ladders, you might not be confident in climbing!
With gutters, they need to be inspected regularly because a bad bout of weather can often throw a lot of debris towards your property and, as a result, into your gutters.
Blocked gutters can cause a lot of damage, which, of course, can lead to costly repairs and foundational damage that might not be so easy to fix either. Try to get your gutters cleaned regularly and inspected so that any problems are spotted earlier rather than later.
5. Get your white goods checked
White goods are important to get checked when it comes to home maintenance because they often tend to kick up a few problems during the winter months, in particular. The winter months are not the best time for your washing machine to cease working or your tumble dryer to stop drying clothes.
That’s why it’s worthwhile getting your white goods insured and checked by professionals regularly. As a result, you’ll be able to keep on top of any underlying problems that might suddenly show themselves before you’ve had an opportunity to maintain them.
There are a lot of white goods that you’ll want to do a deep clean of, especially where there are filters. These are important to get cleaned and replaced as and when necessary to help extend the lifespan of the appliance.
6. Insulate exterior pipes to avoid any bursts
Exterior pipes will certainly need to be insulated, particularly if you live in any area where the pipes are prone to bursting.
Those parts of the world where the weather can be extremely cold make having any exposed pipes that connect to the property a danger of exploding or bursting. That’s why you want to get them insulated as best as possible, as well as upgraded to more modern options if necessary.
Some homes have been fitted with older pipework, which can start underperforming after a while. Good pipework and plumbing systems are important, which is why you’ll want to get a plumber out should you have any concerns in the meantime.
7. Seal windows and doors
Sealing up any windows and doors is definitely something to help improve the maintenance of the home and how effective it is when it comes to insulation in general. Over time, windows and doors will start to come away from the sealant that’s effectively keeping the windows and doors safe from any drafts or vulnerabilities.
It’s easy enough to reseal windows and doors, but it’s also good to be mindful of the ages of both the windows and doors, as this may influence how efficient they are. Some windows will last up to twenty-five years or more, whereas doors may only last fifteen to twenty years at a time.
It’s all down to maintenance and the quality, though, so take a look at both your windows and doors to see if there are any updates that need doing to them.
8. Test carbon monoxide and fire alarms
Carbon monoxide and fire alarms are something you should be testing and making sure work all year round. However, as the winter months roll round and more time is spent in the home, it’s good to check that all alarms are working as required.
The reason is that you never know when a fire or gas leak could occur, and if you don’t have alarms going off, you could be none the wiser while sleeping. After all, both a fire and a gas leak are often very quiet or silent in the latter case until it’s too late.
9. Keep it cozy with soft furnishings
It’s always a nice feeling to come to a home that feels cozy, and when it’s the winter season, it’s good to furnish your home with plenty of soft furnishings in order to keep it warm.
This includes throws, rugs, and cushions that you can snuggle up to as you watch your favorite television shows.
10. Get the roof space checked outside and in
It’s worthwhile to get the roof space checked out both outside and in. Like the gutters, this needs to be checked for any compromises that need to be fixed in time for the winter months.
These tips are essential to help winterize your home this year and be prepared for a warm and toasty end of the year.
