Straight Line is a big believer in enhancing your home with remodels because your house is typically the largest investment you’ve made for your family. A solid remodel will only make that investment more valuable. But the most important work you do to your home happens between those large projects. Just like you need to remember to maintain your car with regular oil changes and checking hoses and belts, your home also requires basic, ongoing maintenance. Also, just like your car, it’s time to winterize your home.
Since we’re experts on keeping your home in amazing shape, we’ve put together a winter weather checklist of simple but vital maintenance for your home.
The Home Inspection Checklist for Winter
Clean out the gutters.
We’re starting outside and with something relatively easy, but that can have a big impact if you don’t do it. Clogged gutters can cause water damage, loose gutters, and even become havens for insects and vermin. Clean your gutters out of leaves, sticks, and any other debris at least a couple of times a year. Winter is one of the best times to clear your gutters since there could be precipitation that accumulates as snow and ice, causing a lot of problems when it starts to melt.
Get your roof checked out.
We will stay outside for this item since, like the gutters, if your roof is left in disrepair, it could cause more serious problems down the line. The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends two yearly inspections by a professional roofing contractor. If you want to give it a look for yourself first, you’re looking for damaged or missing shingles. Small problems become big problems when they’re made worse by icy precipitation, snow, or sleet.
Shut off outside faucets.
One more outside check before we go inside where it’s warm. Exterior pipes can freeze and burst when the temperatures drop, but protecting against that is easy. Disconnect your hoses and if there are shutoff valves, use them. But make sure you turn the faucets back on to release any leftover water. Lastly, you might use an insulated cover for added insulation.
Get your furnace checked out.
The last thing you want to do is have your furnace go out during the winter months. Most furnaces have filters that need to be checked and replaced every three months or so. We’d also recommend having a professional check your furnace annually to avoid anything dangerous developing.
Get your fireplace and chimney checked out.
This is a check that bridges the gap from exterior to interior. If you have one, then you need to clean out your fireplace, chimney, and vents. The National Fire Protection Association recommends a professional cleaning and inspection. If you have a gas fireplace, the professional will also inspect for gas leaks and recommend repairs.
Fill any gaps around all your exterior windows and doors.
Drafty windows and doors can make you feel colder and cause your utility bills to climb due to a lack of energy efficiency. We suggest running caulk around your window trim, installing weatherstripping around doors for a tight seal, and applying caulk around the window trim to seal off any drafts.
Switch the direction of your ceiling fans.
We’re going to wrap up with an easy one. During the summer, your fans should move in a counter-clockwise direction to blow the cool air down onto you. During the winter, you want them to rotate clockwise to create an updraft that pushes the lighter, warmer air toward the ceiling to rebound back down onto you, keeping you warm. With this more efficient use of your warm air, you may even be able to set the thermostat lower while keeping you warmer.
Call Straight Line for Your Spring Upgrade
If you follow that checklist, you’ll hopefully be protected from small problems creeping up on you. If you find any issues, please give us a call and we’d be happy to refer you to a contractor we trust. Then you’ll be ready to spend winter in your home with your family. Which is usually when you realize the remodels and changes you’ll want Straight Line to do before next winter.
Winter makes it obvious that your kitchen doesn’t have good flow, that your bathroom is too small, that you have storage space that could be maximized, or whatever issue you trip over all winter. Contact us for a consultation to upgrade your kitchen or bathroom or to remodel your small spaces for better storage now so that we can be ready to upgrade your home.
We’ll have a consultation so we can see your space and come to understand your vision for it. Then we’ll invite you to our Gainesville/Alachua or Ocala showroom so you can browse our selection of high-quality kitchen cabinets and countertops and speak to our experienced staff of designers and contractors. Together, we can choose the finest materials for your budget while still maintaining function, quality, and beauty.
If your home drives you crazy this winter, we can help you fall in love with it again come spring. Call, text, or leave us a message for a free consultation on a beautiful, functional renovation.