Winter Maintenance Tips

’Tis the season of making lists and checking them twice. While you’re busy planning holiday festivities and shopping for gifts, don’t forget that your home has a wish-list of its own. No, we’re not talking about the latest gadgets or furnishings (though those would be nice, too). With winter around the corner, certain parts of your home require extra care and attention. Here are six home maintenance tasks to check off your list for the winter.

Be fire smart. House fires happen more during the winter months than any other time of year. Take precautions by checking batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and if you have a fireplace, hire a professional to inspect and clean it.

Check for drafts. Keep your house warm and your utility bills low by checking for drafts around doors and windows. Replace worn-out weather-stripping, and re-caulk as needed to create a tight seal.

Inspect the furnace. Experts recommend having your furnace professionally maintained every year to ensure it’s running properly. It may seem like an unnecessary expense, but it’s better (and cheaper) to do it now than during the middle of a winter storm, when you might have to wait days without heat for a technician to come out.

Trim the trees. Winter is the ideal time to prune trees and shrubs so that they look their best in the spring. Be sure to remove dead tree limbs that could fall during a storm and cause property damage or injury.

Clear out the clutter. Whether you’re planning to host holiday guests or need to make room for your holiday décor (or both), an hour or so of decluttering will make a world of difference. Donate or sell unwanted items, and deep clean the areas you typically don’t get to. A clean home is a happy home!

Stock up on cold-weather supplies. Having a survival kit ready year-round is a smart idea, but check that you have what you need for the winter months, especially if the power goes out. Set aside extra blankets, flash lights, batteries, water, and canned goods. Don't have a generator? Do your research and consider adding one to your home. An automatic standby generator might even add to your home's curb appeal.