Winter home maintenance checklist

Winter home maintenance checklist
It’s important to get into the habit of completing these checks annually leading up to each season. Protect your investment with the following regular and good maintenance practices. This is a list of simple things you can do yourself to help you keep your home a safe and healthy place to live year-round. 
  • Check and clean or replace furnace air filters. 
  • Clean your humidifier regularly during the winter season.
  • For proper ventilation, vacuum bathroom fan grills. Look up once in awhile, its surprising how often this get missed.
  • Check that your smoke detectors are connected and working.
  • Vacuum radiator grills on the back of refrigerators and freezers, and empty and clean drip trays.
  • Check gauges on all fire extinguishers, and recharge or replace as necessary.
  • Check fire escape routes, door and window locks and hardware, and lighting around the home’s exterior. 
  • Monitor your home for excessive moisture levels – for instance, condensation on your windows. Check that the main - bathroom fan is set to run in order to maintain airflow through the home.
  • Check all faucets for signs of dripping and change washers or replace faucets as needed. 
  • If you have a plumbing fixture that’s not used frequently, such as a laundry tub or spare bathroom sink, tub or shower stall, briefly run some water to keep water in the trap.
  • Clean drains in the dishwasher, sinks, bathtubs and shower stalls.
  • Test plumbing shut-off valves to ensure they’re working and to prevent them from seizing.
  • Examine windows and doors for ice accumulation or cold air leaks and arrange for repair or replacement. 
  • Check roof and attic space for ice dams or icicles. If there’s excessive frost or staining of the underside of the roof, or ice dams on the roof surface, be sure to have an expert look into the issue.
  • Check electrical cords, plugs and outlets for all indoor and outdoor seasonal lights to ensure fire safety.
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