In home maintenance, we’re often so focused on keeping our lawn green and taking care of the exterior that we forget about all the little things that keep our houses running smoothly year-round. Smelly carpets? Check. Damp walls? Double check. But wait, there’s more! If you aren’t getting the proper maintenance done on your home, it’s only a matter of time before everything breaks down. Luckily, winter is the perfect season to tackle these small issues because they are less common than in the summer or spring months when you have more outside activity occurring in your house and less people living there year-round.

Make Sure Your Heating System Is in Good Shape

One of the most important ways to winterize your home is by ensuring your heating system is in good shape. If you don’t have a properly functioning heating system, both your indoor and outdoor areas will be at risk for damage from extreme temperatures. Keeping your heating system in good shape doesn’t just help you during the cold months, it makes sure that you can use it year-round as well. Besides keeping your heating system in good shape, make sure all other parts of your heating system are functioning properly as well.

Clean and change your furnace filter

Did you know a furnace filter regulates your home’s air quality? By changing the filter every other month, you can ensure your home’s indoor air stays clean. Plus, if there’s an issue with the furnace, replacing the filters will prevent it from causing any more damage. A dirty or clogged furnace also makes it harder for your furnace to heat quickly in winter. It takes longer for your heater to kick on and warm the area because it must draw in air before it can heat it. If this happens often enough, you might eventually have to switch out the old furnace entirely with a new one.

Don’t forget to check furnace operation from time to time

During the winter, you’ll most likely be using your furnace more. If you forget to check that it’s running, then your house will start to seriously dry out because all the moisture is being pushed through the vents. This can lead to mold or even a fire hazard. So, try checking on your furnace once a month and make sure it’s running at full capacity. You should also periodically change your filters and have the furnace professionally cleaned. Once in a while, you should also check on your exterior door seals to make sure they’re working properly. If they aren’t, then they can create a lot of draftiness and cold air entering different parts of your home, which can lead to mold or deterioration. Lastly, don’t forget about making sure that you have enough heat in your home to last during the colder months.

Ensure water heater safety

One of the most important things you can do to ensure the safety of your home is checking on your water heater. If it’s not winterized, then it needs to be winterized. And if it’s not winterized, then it should be replaced. No one knows when their water heater will die or stop working, so there’s no telling how long a water heater will last. Taking proactive maintenance steps will help ensure that your home is safe and protected from any potential problems down the road.

Getting Rid of Dust and Mold

One of the most important steps to take in winterizing your house is getting rid of dust and mold. Dust and mold are both perfect conditions for the growth of bacteria that cause all kinds of health issues, so you’ll want to make sure these elements are eliminated before they start causing any problems. A quick way to do this is by using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter on it to remove any leftover dust particles. Afterward, you can use an oscillating fan to ensure that the air circulating in your home will move quickly around, which will help stop the build-up of dust. It’s also important to keep surfaces free from mold. If you notice some small spots or stains on your drywall or carpet, it might be time to replace them before they become bigger problems.

Stay dry and avoid mold

One of the most important tips to make your home more winter-friendly is to stay dry and avoid mold. When you have a warmer, wetter climate, water easily pools on surfaces like wood and carpet. This can cause problems like mildew and rot in the future. In addition to staying dry, a good air purifier is a must for any home that has been closed up for an extended period of time. Mold prevention starts at the front door with proper insulation or weather stripping. An easy way to keep your door from getting drafty is by hanging a doorstop from the bottom hinge so it can’t swing open when someone walks in or out.

Check Your Exterior for Damage

The first step towards winterizing your home is checking the exterior to see if there are any damages or problems. This includes checking for any leaks, cracks in the foundation, and broken windows. It’s important to take a close look at the exterior because it’s often overlooked by homeowners. Next, you want to make sure your home’s heating system is in good working order. You can test the furnace or boiler by turning on all of the burners and switching them on and off, then doing the same with each individual burner. If you’ve got an old heating unit that needs replacing, this is also a great time to do it. Once you’ve made sure everything is up-to-date on your exterior and heating system, it’s time to get down into your basement or crawlspace to check out any water leaks lurking around the house. Moisture in these areas can lead to mold growth which may require professional help.

Check your roof for signs of leaks

One of the most important things to do before winter is check your roof for signs of leaks. If you notice water stains or small rivulets on the ceiling, it’s likely that there is a leak somewhere in the roof and you need to act quickly. You can try caulking and taping any small leaks up, but this will only be temporary. The best thing to do is call a professional contractor who can take care of sealing up potential holes in your roof. A lot of people neglect their gutters during the winter months because they don’t see how they are helpful with rain collecting in them. This can cause big problems like clogged drains and plumbing issues down the road when it starts raining hard again. Gutters are also important because they keep snow out of your attic so you don’t have to worry about ice dams or any damage caused by melting snow on your roof

Check your foundation for Damage

The foundation is an often overlooked area of your house. Research has shown that the foundation can be responsible for structural damage, leaks, and even the spread of diseases in your home, so take some time to examine it. If you don’t know where your foundation starts and ends or how to assess any damages, there are a few ways to find out. You can use a ladder or a drone to view the property from above. Also, if you have an old photo of your property from before construction began, you can also use that as a reference—just make sure it was taken after the foundation was completed or before major renovations occurred. This will help you see if anything has changed since then.

Install Outdoor Faucet Covers

If you’re looking for a quick, easy fix for winterizing your home, installing outdoor faucet covers is a good place to start. These covers are made of water-resistant material that will keep out any potential water damage from the weather. Plus, they’re inexpensive and easy to install! Another thing you can do is to invest in regular cleanings with your vacuum cleaner. This is also a quick and easy way to improve indoor air quality, which will be helpful when it comes to fighting allergies or asthma.

Other Winterization Tips to Consider

1. Keep water out of your basement: One of the most basic steps in winterizing your home is keeping water out of your basement. This can be done by using a drain board, installing a sump pump, or using special drains for outside and inside.

2. Get rid of excess energy loss: Now that its cold outside, its time to focus on getting rid of excess energy loss in your home. This can be done by sealing windows and doors, insulating walls and attic spaces, or using a programmable thermostat.

3. Protect your pipes: Frozen pipes can lead to costly repairs, so its important to take steps to protect them. This can be done by insulating exposed pipes, letting faucets drip during cold weather, and keeping the heat on in your home (set to at least 55 degrees).

4. Prepare your fireplace: If you have a fireplace, now is the time to have it inspected and cleaned. This will help prevent fires and ensure that it is ready for use when the cold weather hits.

5. Remove leaves and debris: Fall leaves can clog gutters and downspouts, so its important to remove them before the first snowfall. Debris can also build up on roofs, gables, and chimneys, creating a safety hazard.

6. Check your batteries: Before the cold weather hits, it is important to check your batteries in your smoke and security alarms. Not only will this help ensure that they work during the winter, but it will also prevent any false alarms from happening during this time of year.

7. Prepare your vehicle: If you need to leave town for a while during the winter, be sure to prepare your vehicle by putting chains on tires, filling up your gas tank, and locking your car doors.

8. Check for leaks: Water can seep into walls and ceilings where there are gaps or seams in the roof or walls. Check these areas for signs of water infiltration and take necessary precautions to protect your home.

9. Get a home warranty: A home warranty can help cover some of the costs associated with winterizing your home. This can include things like broken water pipes, frozen pipes, and basement flooding.

10. Get a professional: If you’re not comfortable doing any of the tasks mentioned above, then you should get a professional to do them for you. There are many reputable companies that offer this service and they will be able to help you take all the necessary precautions to protect your home from potential problems in the coming months