Winter Home Safety & Maintenance Tips
Keep your home warm.
Make sure to check your HVAC appliances frequently, especially your heating system. These systems are crucial for winter living, but they can come under a lot of wear and tear in the process of keeping your home warm. If your system is having a hard time reaching certain rooms, consider installing space heaters there. Cranking up your heater to account for colder rooms can use a lot of power and provide disproportionate amounts of heat to your home.
Also make sure you seal up any holes or cracks around your doors and windows, as one small draft can make your heating system work much harder to keep your home at your desired temperature.
Clear your driveway and walkways frequently.
Not only are your driveway and walkways some of the most prominent visual features of your property, but they’re also used the most frequently. Clearing them regularly is generally most effective as snow and ice can sometimes pack together and create slippery patches or other hazards. Keeping your driveway and walkways clear will not only make your home more inviting, but also safer for any guests or visitors. You’re going to make sure you’ve got an adequate supply of salt, sand or whatever else you may use to keep your driveway and walkways safe. Snow falls frequently enough that you may run out faster than you realize.
Keep on the lookout for mould build-up.
Mould typically grows best in cool, damp environments. As you can probably imagine, the winter conditions could create a great environment for mould to grow. Although mould growth isn’t something everyone struggles with, do make sure you’re on the lookout for patches of growth — especially in basements, kitchens, attics and bathrooms.
Prevent damage to your home.
Check your gutters and downspouts regularly for any blockage. Snow and ice fall and melt frequently, so you want to make sure that the water is being efficiently diverted far from your foundation. If your drainage system isn’t doing its job, it may result in flooding or mould growth to various degrees.
Trim any overgrown tree branches that could cause damage to the outside of your home. Weatherproof any of your exterior pipes to ensure that they won’t be damaged by the cold. If you have one, check to make sure your sump pump works to avoid any flooding issues.
Check your electrical systems.
No one wants their electricity to go out, especially in the middle of winter. This is why checking your electrical systems frequently is a good practice during the winter months. Check your service panel for sparking, breaker wires for any inadequate insulation or discoloration. Schedule appointments and check-ups before too long, as you may have to book an appointment pretty far out depending on demand.
Any further questions?
If you have any nagging questions about winter property maintenance that we haven’t answered, feel free to reach out!