Prepping Your Home for Winter

As we say goodbye to the warm days of Summer and hello to the changing colors of Fall, let’s take a minute to discuss the steps to take in order to prepare your home for Winter’s harsh conditions. While you may not need to do all of these seasonal preparations depending on where you live, it is important to review your home’s needs regularly. Think you’ll need help with these preparations? Look for links to our services throughout the list and call us today at 1-800-88-HANDY or click to request a free, no-obligation project estimate. It’s never too early to get on our schedule!

1. Have your furnace or boiler checked and serviced, preferably before the heating season begins.
2. Clean or replace the furnace filter on forced hot air systems.
3. Have your chimney checked and serviced at least once a year. Pay particular attention to having creosote buildup removed from chimneys servicing woodstoves and fireplaces.
4. Add extra insulation in the attic to help guard against ice dams. If too much heat escapes into the attic, it can warm the ice and snow on the roof. When it refreezes, it can cause an ice dam, which can lead to water damage inside your home or possibly even a roof collapse.
5. Add weatherstripping around doors and caulk windows to guard against drafts and heat loss.
6. Remove screens from windows and install storm windows, if appropriate.
7. Check for water leaks and fix problems immediately; wrap water piping in UL-Listed heat tape and insulate if it is exposed in unheated areas such as garages, crawl spaces or attics. Use only thermostatically-controlled heat tape if your water piping is plastic, and follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
8. Learn how to shut off your water and know where your pipes are located in case they do freeze; you may be able to prevent water damage.
9. Trim trees and remove dead branches so they do not damage your home or injure someone if they fall because of ice, snow or wind.
10. Keep gutters clear of leaves, sticks and other debris to help ensure melting snow can drain properly. Make sure downspouts direct water away from the foundation.
11. Repair steps and handrails to make them safer in the ice and snow.
12. Check smoke detectors, fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace batteries to ensure they are operating properly.
13. Make sure you have snow shovels and a roof rake on hand. Stock your ice melting compound to melt ice on walkways.
14. Have your snow blower and generator serviced and any necessary repairs made.
15. Keep fuel for snow blowers and generators in approved safety containers and away from heat or flame-producing devices. Do not store fuel in your basement.

Whether you intend to sell your home or stay for many years, it is important to carry out seasonal maintenance and repairs. Staying on top of things will help you to avoid costly problems later down the line. Not only will regular upkeep maintain the comfort and look of your home, it will help you to maximize its value if you decide to sell. The home maintenance professionals at Handyman Connection are here to help get your home ready for winter. Call us today at 1-800-88-HANDY or click to request a free, no-obligation project estimate!