Winter Maintenance Checklist for New Homebuyers

Crackling fires, cozy blankets, and snowfall are all well and good. But what do you do when the cold cracks the caulk and the snow starts piling up on the roof?

It’s time for some preemptive winter home maintenance! Taking care of maintenance tasks ahead of time can help you make sure that your brand-new house is ready for the upcoming onslaught of cold weather.

New homebuyers should be aware of all the ways winter weather could potentially damage their home and what to do about it. This winter maintenance checklist will help you get ready for the cold days ahead.

Winter Maintenance Tips for New Homebuyers

It may be tempting to avoid maintenance, as it may feel like a nuisance or an unnecessary expense. However, when you do that, you risk having your home fall into disrepair. Here are a few things you can do to minimize damage and maintain your home properly during the wintertime.

Winter Home Maintenance – First Things First

If you think about it, the winter season truly begins in November/December. But, unfortunately, it’s also the time when most homeowners start settling into their homes and cozying it up. They forget all about getting it ready for the cold weather ahead.

Neglecting maintenance can turn out to be costly in the long run. Therefore, you must take the following steps to protect the value, condition, and beauty of your house:

Inspect air ducts for debris and clean them regularly
Remove excess snow from your roof
Clean out your existing furnace filters or replace them entirely
Clean out your heat recovery ventilator (HRV) and replace the filter
Run a test on your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
Inspect and reset your GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter)

Next on Your Winter Home Maintenance Checklist

In January, you need to make sure that your roof, gutters, and water heater are clean and in working condition. These can be the most expensive repairs during the winter if you don’t take care of them the right way.

In fact, ice-cold weather can cause irreparable damage to your water lines and plumbing. So you should take steps to address these concerns as well.

Here are some additional maintenance tasks you’ll want to attend to during the wintertime:

Get rid of excess snow from rooftops and driveways
Remove snow from overhangs or vents
Check your water heater for leaks
Check your electronic appliances
Clean out exhaust fans
Clean out your garbage disposal
Clean vents and heat registers

Get Started on Your Winter Home Maintenance

Whether you’re a new homebuyer or you’ve been in your home for a number of years, taking care of winter maintenance is crucial. Maintaining your home properly can help you save money, preserve its value, and keep it safe, beautiful, and functional. And, after all, all you need to do is clean out your vents, ducts, and filters, and keep the snow from piling up!