Just because there aren’t leaves to rake or a garden to maintain doesn’t mean you can take a break from home maintenance! Keeping your home in great shape is a crucial part of homeownership whether you want to stay in your home for many years or you want to sell it in the near future.
There are some important home maintenance tasks to tackle in the wintertime, so don’t forget to set aside some time to handle the following items.
Check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
This isn’t just a wintertime to-do, in fact, you should check these every month. Since the windows are closed and more people are using wood-burning fireplaces during the colder months, this becomes even more important.
Consider entryway flooring
While salt, gravel, and sand help us get around on the snowy roads, they can wreak havoc on your flooring. Add extra welcome mats both inside and outside your doors to prevent those corrosive materials from making it into your home.
Monitor your trees for loose or broken branches
A big winter storm can cause damage to trees and branches, so keep an eye on your trees. Be proactive if you see parts of your tree that need to be addressed - the last thing you want to worry about during a storm is whether or not your branches are going to fall. If you do need to remove snow during a storm, carefully use a broom to brush the snow off the tree limbs. Try not to shake the snow as that can cause loose branches to fall.
Watch for air leakage around doors and windows
Feel a draft coming in? Take some time to repair caulking around doors and windows or add weatherstripping. This can boost your home’s energy-efficiency and keep your heating bill from going through the roof.
Change your furnace filter
Since you’re likely running your heater more in the winter, you should check and replace your furnace filter regularly. Furnace filters are inexpensive and they can keep your system running efficiently (not to mention, they also filter out dust and allergens!). If you’re not sure how to change the filter, it’s simple. Check out this easy tutorial!
Clean your dryer vents
Don’t just clean the lint filter out - clean out the dryer vents too. You can check your manufacturer’s guide on how to do this for your model of dryer. Dryers cause thousands of fires every year, so cleaning out your vents can help reduce your risk.
Prepare for big storms
Here in Colorado, we are known to get some unexpected snowstorms! Don’t get caught unprepared - keep a stash of flashlights and batteries in case the power goes down. Have a few extra pantry items on hand too. You can also store some non-clumping kitty litter in your garage or car for walkways and slippery roads. The Red Cross has a comprehensive guide to make sure you’re prepared.
Even though the weather is cold, the Denver real estate market is still hot! If you want to chat about your home buying or selling goals, reach out to me at 8Z Real Estate!