Learn all about the different ways you should maintain your home during the winter
As the days get shorter and you spend more time indoors, it's more important than ever to make sure your home is protected from harsh winter conditions. Freezing temperatures outside and hot, dry air inside can create a variety of problems, from bursting frozen pipes to leaky roofs.
Whether you've recently moved to a colder climate or the early arrival of winter storms has created a heightened sense of urgency, you can help prevent future damage to your home and increase your family's safety with our checklist of home maintenance during the winter.
1.Check your heating system
Home maintenance experts recommend having your heating system checked by a professional annually, especially before the first big snowstorm hits! Most manufacturers and technicians recommend scheduling a tune-up or inspection of your furnace every year.
A professional will not only check for any safety issues but can also perform maintenance as a preventive measure so you don't end up with a breakdown in the middle of a cold front, when you may have to wait several days for service.
Here's a quick rundown of the types of areas that should be tested, depending on the type of heating system you have:
Gas Furnace:
A professional will check your ventilation system for leaks or blockages. All burners should be checked for proper ignition, plus any hoses or drain systems should be checked for leaks. This is also a good time to replace the filter, which should be done every six months or so.
Boiler :
You should perform at least monthly checks on your boiler for any signs of leakage. For an annual inspection, a professional will check the heat exchanger, wiring, and ventilation system, and make sure the pH levels of the water are in the correct range.
Heat Pump :
Make sure your outdoor unit is clear of leaves or snow, and trim all bushes and vegetation to a distance of at least 18 inches. Technicians also recommend an annual inspection of heat pumps to ensure optimal operation.
- Schedule a chimney cleaning
The last thing you want on a cold, wintry night is for your house to fill with smoke from a blocked chimney. Whether there is a buildup of soot or an old bird's nest hiding in the top of the chimney, regular cleaning is essential for a fireplace to function properly.
Plan ahead and schedule an inspection and cleaning; that way you can fully relax with a cup of hot chocolate by your fireplace or woodstove.
- Clean your gutters
If you have trees near your home, your gutters may be full of leaves and debris. Even trees that don't lose their leaves each year tend to have a lot of debris drop off during a wind storm.
A small rake is the easiest way to remove leaves from the gutter. Hire a professional to clean your gutters if you don't feel comfortable climbing a ladder to reach everything.
Cleaning everything is important: If it rains a lot and the gutters are too full, the water will not be directed correctly, which can cause flooding around the outside and damage the siding and foundation.
- Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
In the winter, your doors and windows are kept tightly closed to keep cold air out, which means the flow of cool air is minimal. This means your home is more susceptible to the buildup of dangerous gases like carbon monoxide.
Heating systems also tend to dry out the air in your home, so if something catches fire, it can escalate much faster. Make sure you are alerted to any smoke or gas leaks by checking your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Find out if some heat escapes from your house
Once you've spent the money to overhaul your furnace, you'll want to make sure all that money isn't wasted every time you turn up the thermostat. Warm air from your home could be escaping through faulty weather-stripping around windows, cracks under doors, or poor insulation around pipes.
While proper insulation in your walls is still key (about 31 percent of all heat in your home is lost through the walls and ceiling), there are lots of little things you can do to increase the energy efficiency of your home.
- Maintain the trees on your property
Winter conditions may put trees and plants under a huge amount of pressure. Walk around your yard or property and look for potential trouble spots, such as rotting branches or trees leaning to one side.
Consider having an arborist come over to trim large trees near your home or power lines, or to remove a large tree or branches that may be dead by the end of winter.
Otherwise, you risk a tree or branches falling during a storm and damaging your home or causing injury.
- Clean snow and ice from your roof and trees
When the snow comes, it is also important to remove the snow from the trees. Wet snow can collect on tree branches and cause them to snap - another safety hazard. Snow and ice can cause damage to your roof and gutters, as well.
Use a telescoping roof rake to remove snow from your roof. To prevent dangerous icicles from forming along your gutters, make sure they are free of dirt and debris.
For large icicle removal, consider hiring a roofing expert. They will climb onto the roof to remove icicles from above, as it can be risky to knock them down from below.
- Prevent pipes from freezing
Exposure to cold air can cause your pipes to burst, which can cause significant water damage to your home. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to make sure this doesn't happen.
First, if you're going to be out of town, keep your thermostat set at 55 degrees and open up any cabinetry with plumbing so it can still get a flow of hot air. Second, a short trip to the hardware store can be used to add insulation to your pipes.
- Reverse ceiling fans
This is an easy one that doesn't cost a dime! You can help your heating system by reversing the motor on any ceiling fan so it runs clockwise. According to the US EnergyStar program, this will force hot air that rises near the ceiling to move towards the floor. This will make your home feel warmer.
This simple step may be enough to allow you to set your thermostat to a lower temperature, so you can save energy and heating costs.
Preparing your home for the cold weather ahead will help you enjoy the season to the fullest. As you work your way through your winter home maintenance checklist, you can be sure your home is ready for any approaching sub-zero temperatures or blizzards.
You may either be thinking of a freah coat of paint or a complete home remodel. We at Turner Home Remodeling are here to make your dreams come true. Contact us to remodel your home in San Jose.