Niagara winter is fast approaching, and homeowners who aren’t prepared for it are bound to have a tough time when it begins to snow like crazy and the temperature plummets. In order to protect your home and largest investment, let's outline a few home maintenance jobs that would be great to take care of before winter is here in full force.
Here, we outline 7 of the key things you need to do in order to make your home winter ready.
1. Proper gutter maintenance
Homeowners often neglect gutter cleaning as winter approaches despite the fact that it doesn't actually take more than a few hours. Gutters are crucial to the roof’s integrity, so failing to clear sticks, leaves, and other debris from the gutter can lead to water being trapped on the roof or being properly diverted.
Things could be worse; in the winter, snow may accumulate on your roof and gutter and cause roof damage or leaks from the ceiling. Not cleaning the gutter can also lead to pests, which can cause damage that can set you back by thousands of dollars.
2. Trim your trees
If you have old trees or overhanging branches in your yard/garden, they could pose a threat to you and your home if there is a storm during the winter. Use the fall season to get rid of dead or broken trees or tree limbs by trimming them. This measure will go a long way in keeping you safe and preventing damage to your home during the winter. For the task of clearing out unwanted trees/ branches, you can either hire a professional or do it yourself with tree trimming equipment that you can purchase from the local hardware store.
3. Have clear walkways
If overgrown landscaping is blocking your paths or walkways, you need to do something about it before the winter arrives. Notably, the landscaping can freeze in the winter and cause slips and falls. Avoiding these accidents is quite easy; ensure that your plants are trimmed and that the walkways are cleared of debris so that you can salt or shovel the paths easily when there is snow in the winter.
4. Prioritize chimney cleaning
If you want to use your fireplace during the fall and winter seasons, ensure that it is clean and that there are no rodents living in it. Having a clean chimney is especially important given those indoor wood-burning fireplaces that aren’t maintained properly tend to cause fires or lead to soot build-up, which is harmful to your health. As a result, you need to clean your chimney with a professional or even do it yourself if you have the know-how.
5. Keep an eye on your Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system
One of the most important projects you need to undertake this fall is checking your HVAC system, which may have unclean coils after extended use in the summer. Make sure that you clean all your HVAC coils, especially if you have unit is outside.
Also, remember to check the HVAC for any issues and damages, such as poor heating efficiency before winter approaches. If you are intimidated by the task, remember there is no shame in hiring a professional to check your HVAC; all that matters is that it is well and running when you most need it.
6. Door and window repair
An easy and cost-effective step you can take to stay comfortable in winter and reduce your heating bills is repairing drafts in your windows and doors. Check the seals on your windows and doors and make sure that there are no cracks or peels that need repair.
If you are unsure of whether the window and door seals are intact, try holding a lit candle near the seals. If it flickers, that indicates the window/door isn’t sealed appropriately to get you through winter.
7. Keep your hoses and irrigation systems safe
You won’t be needing your hoses when there are freezing snowstorms outside, so make sure they are safe during the winter. Drain your hoses and turn off any valves you have in the house to ensure that they aren’t frozen in the winter. Further, you need to service your sprinkler and irrigation systems with the help of a professional if necessary so that they will be in good condition when winter is over.
Now that you know how you can use the fall season to prepare for winter, you no longer have to worry about accidents or unexpected bills. You can be confident that your home will be a place of comfort and safety throughout the winter.
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