Winter maintenance checklist for your home

Winter maintenance checklist for your home

With winter just around the corner it would be wise to go through these basic maintenance checklist to save

yourself from costly repairs later. Here's what we recommend before the snow starts falling :)

1. Check your gutters and roof for repair and maintenance:

Roofs are often overlooked while carrying out maintenance activities for your house. Because the gutters on your roof are responsible for diverting water and slush from your house's exterior it is important that these be in good working condition. make sure that you free the gutters from dried leaves and other debris so that water and slush can flow freely.

2. Check for air leaks around your windows and doors frames:

According to the U.S Department of Energy 10% of your heating bill is due to the air leaks from around your window and door frames. To find spots from where your house's heat is escaping from, close your windows and doors and move a lighted candle around the frames. If the candle light flickers you will know where you need to plug the leak. Just make sure you don't bring the candle near anything flammable.

3.Get your heating system inspected:

Schedule an inspection of your heating system by a professional at least once a year. A properly maintained heating system will be more efficient in heating your home and therefore will help you cut down on your heating bills. Get your furnace filters clean and make sure your heating ducts re not blocked.

4. Seal your driveways:

Before your driveway is covered with snow and before it's too cold to inspect them go and give them a through once over. Look for cracks and loose paver material. Repair them or seal them before they a tripping or a slipping accident.

5. Check for leaky faucets:

Check your kitchen, utility areas and bathroom for leaky faucets and taps. If there are any leaks make sure to repair them now so as to avoid broken pipes in the middle of winter later.

6.Prepare your winter yard equipment:

Before the first snow falls you want to make sure that your shovels, rakes and snow blowers are in proper working condition so that you can use them when needed.

 7. Do a thorough check up of your home's safety features:

Check up on the batteries of your smoke and CO detectors. Every home should have at least one fire extinguisher and it should not be more than 6 years old. Check the pressure gauge on the extinguisher and look for dents, scratches and corrosion. Do a general clean up of your home getting rid of old or leftover hazardous household chemicals.