As the temperatures are starting to dip here in Southwestern BC and Christmas music is being played more and more frequently on radio stations it’s the perfect time to start thinking about those extra jobs and tasks you can do to prepare your home for the winter.
At Sutton WestCoast Realty, we have compiled this winter home maintenance checklist to help you determine everything that needs to be done in preparation for even colder weather – and perhaps even the first snowfall of the season!
Winter Home Maintenance Tips for Inside Your Home
- Replace furnace filters.
- If you have ceiling fans, reverse the direction to redistribute warm air from the ceiling down to the floor.
- Check any basement windows for drafts or cracked pains.
- Clean humidifier two or three times during the winter.
- Vacuum and clean bathroom fan grills.
- Vacuum and clean all smoke and fire detectors and test that they are functioning properly; Replace batteries if needed.
- Monitor your home for excessive moisture levels such as condensation in your windows.
- Check for leaky or dripping faucets in the kitchen and bathrooms and replace washers if necessary.
- Using your hot water tank’s owner’s manual directions, drain off a dishpan full of water from the clean-out valve.
Exterior Home Maintenance Tips for Winter
- Drain and store all outdoor hoses and turn off interior valve to outdoor hose connection.
- Protect shrubs and plants that may susceptible to harsh winter temperatures and winds.
- Winterize all yard equipment
- Protect any patio furniture that will stay outside for the season, stack chairs, and move any patio cushions indoors.
- Check for worn weather stripping around doors and windows; Replace if needed to prevent cold air from entering your home.
- Look for any gaps or holes where small critters and bugs may be able to enter and seek warmth in your home.
- If you have a wood burning fireplace, have the chimney professionally cleaned and take the time to stock up on firewood for the winter.
- Cover or remove any window air conditioning units.
- Clean and/or repair rain gutters after all the leaves have fallen.
- Insulate and protect any exposed water pipes to prevent freezing on days the temperature dips far below zero.
- Remove heavy snowfall from overhangs.
- Keep snow and ice clear of gas meters, appliance vents, exhaust vents, and basement windows.
Properly maintaining your home and keeping up with regular repairs is a critical way to protect your real estate investment. As days get cooler and there is the risk of very low temperatures, ice, and snow, it is especially important to pay attention to home maintenance in winter.
Not only can these tasks protect your home they can also help reduce electricity and heating bills too!
For more information about maintaining your home and protecting your real estate investment please contact our Surrey real estate agents Natasha Taylor and Ryan Taylor.
