Winter-Proof Your Home: 6 Crucial Maintenance Tips for Cold Weather and Saving Money

As winter has fully descended upon us with sub-freezing temps this week, it becomes essential to ensure your home is properly winterized. Not only does this help maintain your home’s integrity during harsh weather, but it also saves you money in the long run. 

At Ardmor Construction, we are committed to helping you keep your home in optimal condition. Here’s our list of the most important home tasks you should perform this winter:

1. Inspect the Roof and Gutters

Your roof is your first line of defense against winter weather. Check for obvious signs like missing shingles or leaks, but more importantly have your roof inspected professionally to uncover the beginning of wear before permanent damage occurs. Clear your gutters of leaves and debris to prevent ice dams, which can lead to water entering your home.

2. Seal Windows and Doors

Start by identifying any drafts with a lit candle; if the flame flickers, you have a draft. Then clean the areas around the frames. Use adhesive-backed weather stripping for the sides and top of doors and window sashes, and apply high-quality caulk in gaps around stationary windows and door frames for a snug seal. For larger gaps, expanding foam sealant can effectively fill voids between window frames and walls. Additionally, we recommend installing door sweeps to block drafts from beneath exterior doors, and ensure any storm windows are properly sealed. 

Consider replacing windows if your home’s windows are older than 15-20 years. Newer windows are much more energy efficient. Or if you’re seeing frost or condensation between panes, this is a sure sign of bad seals and can lead to mold and mildew growth.. 

3. Inspect Your Heating System

You can check the system yourself by looking for leaks, rust or corrosion. Listen for weird noises and check your thermostat that it responds properly to adjustments. Also check for cold spots in the home. But, this one area that it makes a lot of sense to have your heating system professionally inspected annually. Change the filters frequently and ensure vents are clear for optimal airflow. This can help reduce energy bills and increase the lifespan of your heating unit. 

4. Winterize Your Outdoor Faucets

To winterize outdoor faucets, first, turn off the water supply at the shut-off valve inside your home. Then, open the faucet to drain any remaining water and disconnect any hoses, storing them indoors. Finally, consider wrapping the faucet with foam insulation or using a faucet cover for added protection against freezing.

5. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Why is it that the beeping sound from your smoke alarm, indicating a low battery, always starts at around 2 in the morning? Never during the day! To avoid this, consider replacing your batteries once per year on a schedule. Plus, this gives you an opportunity to manually test each smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector in your home annually. This simple step can save lives.

6. Maintain Outdoor Areas

Clear driveways and walkways of snow and ice promptly. Consider applying salt or an eco-friendly alternative to improve safety. Store outdoor furniture and decor to prevent damage from snow accumulation.

This also includes clearing and salting your deck. (If you don’t have a deck, winter is the perfect time to contact us to design and build you one for all the awesome spring activities coming soon!)

Bonus things to check for you overachievers:

7. Check Your Hot Water Heater and Flush the Tank

8. Check Insulation in Your Attic and Crawl Spaces: Add more as needed.

9. Prepare Your Fireplace and Chimney: Clean, inspect and get a chimney cap.

10. Get a Home Energy Audit! Something just felt right about rounding the list up to 10; maybe my OCD kicked in? Overall though, a great list!  For more tips and information, don’t hesitate to reach out or browse through our website (which you’re already visiting, so why not explore a bit?). Together, we can ensure your home is well-prepared for whatever winter throws your way!