We may have turned a corner around the shortest day of the year, but we still have quite a bit of winter in front of us in western North Carolina. Taking the time to tackle a few home maintenance items can keep you enjoying the beautiful winter weather and a warm home.
Mid-Winter Home Maintenance Checklist
Snow and ice create a wonderland outside and put our homes and businesses to the test. Check that the systems and devices that will keep you warm and safe this winter are in proper working condition. A little maintenance at the start and a check-up mid-winter can help save you from a hefty repair bill or injury.
- Ensure heat sources are maintained and working correctly.
- Check that safety detectors and devices are charged and functioning.
- Keep water pipes and exterior gutter drainage clear of freeze potential.
- Clear exterior of hazardous build-ups of snow, and clean them of mildew and deicing chemicals.
Heating System Check
Most manufacturers recommend getting furnaces, and other heating systems maintained yearly. If it has been a while, or you notice that the system doesn’t seem to be keeping up to the temperature you would like, consider getting a technician to service the unit before it goes out completely. The last thing anyone wants is their heat to fail in the middle of winter.
Part of the heating system is making sure your house retains heat as it should. Check the seal around doors and windows for minor air leaks. Recaulk where you can feel a draft, and consider getting a weatherstrip for the bottom of your door. If you rely on central air, swap out for a new filter to reduce air particles and strain on the air system.
Clean the Chimney
Cozying up to a fireplace with a blanket and warm drink is quintessentially winter. Keep it a pleasant experience by having your fireplace serviced.
Clogs in the chimney, whether they are soot deposits or birds nests, can leave you with a smoke-filled interior and blaring smoke alarms in the best case. And in the worst-case, creosote buildup is also highly flammable and can quickly cause a fire.
Ensure Safety Detectors Work
During winter, we keep our houses sealed up tight. Ensure that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in top working order to keep you safe from harm. Drier air throughout the home from heating units means that it takes less of a spark to start a fire.
Changing the batteries every year and the detector themselves every ten is recommended. If your unit has a test button, make sure it works correctly. And if you hear the beep alert to replace a dying battery, do so as soon as possible.
Clear the Gutters
Keeping your gutter system clear of leaves and debris from the fall and winter winds will help snow and ice melt drain off during winter conditions. Properly working gutters and eves protect the exterior of your house and foundation from water damage and allow the melt to flow correctly, potentially saving you from having to deal with an ice dam on your roof.
Maintain Water Pipes
A frozen or burst pipe in winter can cause severe interior flood damage. Make sure your lines are adequately insulated and warm. If you have exterior hoses, make sure they are disconnected, and turn the faucets off. These pipes are exposed to the coldest air and can cause significant damage to piping and foundation walls when frozen.
If you are leaving for an extended period, set your thermostat to warm enough to keep the pipes from freezing, about 55 degrees is ample, and open cabinetry with plumbing to allow the airflow to hit the pipes.
Check for Ice Dams
Roofs see a lot of wear throughout the year, but the weather in the winter can potentially form an ice dam. Make sure to look for the telltale line of a melted area at the top of a roof and snow remaining at the bottom.
These ridges of dense, hard-packed ice and snow can begin a cycle of preventing water from draining properly, causing roof leaks. Invest in a snow rake to safely reach and remove snow and ice after a winter storm.
Keep Exterior Surfaces Clean
De-icing chemicals that build up on cars, driveways, and sidewalks can cause significant damage to surfaces, especially concrete poured within the last year. Protect your property and investments, and make sure to get surfaces thoroughly cleaned of chemicals when there is no risk of snow or ice.
Mildew and mold also thrive in cold, damp environments, making winter after precipitation a perfect time for them to spread and a lousy time for exterior sidings. If you see the start of black patches on siding or sidewalks, have the surface cleaned before it spreads into the surface’s pores and becomes a recurring problem.
Power washing in winter is particularly dangerous due to the colder temperatures. On top of the year-round hazard of DIY power washing, hypothermia is a real risk, the equipment can freeze if misused, and surfaces can quickly become slick. So consider contacting a professional to save you the hurt and hassle.
Look After Property Trees
Take a walk around your property and look for trees that may become an issue if they have the added weight of ice or snow. Trees that are leaning or have sagging limbs that are near or over driveways, roofs, or power lines are potential hazards in bad weather.
Carefully trim any trouble branches, and consider having a professional service take care of larger trees that threaten powerlines. After clearing your sidewalk and driveway of snow and ice, take a long broom and gently brush off any major limbs to prevent them from breaking off.
Mobile Magic Professional Exterior Cleaning
Since 2001 Mobile Magic has served Asheville, NC, and the greater Western North Carolina community. We provide professional cleaning services for residential and commercial properties, including driveways, vinyl siding, roofs, and more.
Contact us to get an appointment scheduled. Our dedicated team of experts will keep your property in top shape through winter.
