Winter Home Maintenance Tasks Most People Forget Until It’s Too Late

 

Winter comes at residents faster than they can prepare for it. Residents may be out that afternoon still wearing short sleeves when by the next day that same week it has dropped below freezing, the wind is at full force, and the roads are icy every morning. Through all of this change, which is out of residents’ control, residents have to get things done around the house, but also what is simple to not do can end up being a large issue. By not tending to those small things, homeowners leave open the chance for large-scale damage or unsafe conditions or will find themselves spending more than they should on energy.

Here is a list of the top winter home maintenance issues that people usually put off until it’s almost too late—and also why homeowners should add these to their seasonal to-do list right away.

  1. Inspecting and Replacing Exterior Caulking

Caulk, which goes around windows, doors, and exterior trim, is the first line of defense for a home against cold air and moisture. With time the caulk dries out, cracks, or comes away, which in turn creates gaps that may go unnoticed until homeowners see that the home is drafty or utility bills have gone up.

Walk out all the perimeters of the home and check out each joint. If the caulk is brittle or has gone out, take out the old stuff and put in some new weather-resistant seal. Also, this improves the energy efficiency of the home, but at the same time, it also helps to prevent water from getting in, which in turn can freeze and cause structural damage.

  1. Insulating and Protecting Exposed Pipes

Pipe insulation is a winter task that homeowners tend to forget about but which should not be—frozen pipes do in fact burst, which causes up to thousands of dollars in damage. In basements, crawl spaces, garages, and outdoor walls, homeowners will find the most at-risk pipes.

Check for:

  • Exposed water lines
  • Pipes running near exterior walls
  • Outdoor spigots

Insulate them with foam sleeves or heat tape. Also out of the question to forget to disconnect hoses and to put covers on exterior faucets. These little steps greatly reduce the risk of a plumbing emergency during temperature drops.

  1. Sealing Air Leaks in Attics and Crawl Spaces

Air issues that homeowners may not notice develop in attics at hatch areas, in vent spaces, behind sill plates, and in crawl space access doors. Also, homeowners may see that warm inside air is getting out into the non-heated areas, which in turn causes the HVAC system to work extra hard and increases energy bills.

Use draft stoppers and expanding foam to fill in gaps. Also put in more insulation in those areas, which will in turn help to maintain even temperature throughout the home. Fixing these issues at the start of the season also improves comfort and reduces heating bills.

  1. Cleaning Dryer Vents Thoroughly

Dryer vents are a large cause of household fires, which is a fact even more so in winter when dryers are used the most. While many homeowners clean the lint trap as a routine, they often ignore the long vent duct, which runs behind the dryer and out through the outside wall.

Dust and hair that accumulate in the duct reduce air flow and increase drying time, and homeowners also see a great increase in the chance of fire.

A full vent cleaning should include: A complete vent cleaning should include:

  • Removing the duct
  • Vacuuming out lint
  • Checking the exterior vent flap
  • Clearing any obstructions

This easy step protects the home and improves the dryer’s performance all season.

  1. Inspecting Outdoor Wiring and Lighting

Winter storms present tough conditions for outdoor electrical components like wiring, extension cords, and lighting, which may fail. Homeowners see worn-out insulation, broken bulbs, and wiring that has been damaged by water.

Before temperatures drop further: Before the weather gets much colder:

  • Inspect all outdoor outlets
  • Tighten loose fixtures
  • Replace damaged cords

Be sure to use weather-resistant wire.

A Note on Christmas Light Installation

For a large number of families, putting up holiday lights is a winter tradition but also presents extra risks. Climbing ladders in the ice, walking the roofs, and plugging in multiple light sets to the same circuit puts them at risk of an accident or an electrical overload.

This is why many homeowners choose local Christmas light installation in Tyrone GA from professionals like those at atllightinstallers. Pro installers do what they do, which is to tie in the lights in a way that doesn’t damage shingles or siding or gutters. Also, they see to it that the electrical load is balanced, which is a plus point during a season that also brings with it a lot of other maintenance tasks.

Professional services do the work for homeowners, which in turn saves time, reduces hazards, and also sees to it that the home is festively decorated without adding to the winter to-do list.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Winter home care is for the most part about prevention. Though most people do their large-scale tasks like getting the heater checked, homeowners tend to ignore the small but equally important jobs.

By looking at caulk, insulating pipes, air leaks, cleaning out the clothes dryer vents, and outdoor wiring, homeowners do it all to keep the home safe from expensive issues and to improve energy efficiency all season long. For holiday lighting, get in touch with the professionals to do it right, and this winter the home will be that much safer, warmer, and free of stress.