Home Maintenance: Winter

A key to protecting the investment you’ve made in your home is by following a regular maintenance schedule. By performing preventative maintenance on an on-going basis, you’ll avoid many of the big ticket repair items that can lower the value of your home. Here are helpful checklists for monthly and fall maintenance.
Monthly
		Test your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector.
		Check the filters on your heating and cooling systems. Be sure to clean and change according to the manufacturer’s schedule.
		If you have a humidifier or an electronic air filter, check these as well.
		Check faucets for drips.  Check plumbing for leaks.

Winter

Inside
	Check furnace air filters each month during the heating season.  Clean or replace as necessary.
	Consult your owner’s manual for your hot water heater.  Most recommend draining a dishpan full of water from the clean-out valve at the bottom of your hot water tank to control sediment build-up to maintain its efficiency.
	Check all fire extinguishers. Recharge or replace as necessary.
	Review family’s escape and preparedness plans for fire and natural disaster.
	Check locks on doors and windows to ensure they are functioning properly.
	Make sure the basement floor drain’s trap contains water.  Refill as necessary.
	Throughout the winter, watch for excessive moisture build-up.  Take necessary action whenever excessive build-up exists to prevent future maintenance and health problems.  (For example, excessive condensation on windows.)
	Test all faucets and monitor for signs of dripping.  Change washers as needed.  (If a faucet leak persists, it may need replacement.)
	Check and clean drains in sinks, bathtubs, shower stalls and dishwasher.
	Test all plumbing shut-off valves to ensure they are in proper working order.
	Monitor windows and doors for cold air leaks or ice accumulation. Note any problems for  repair or replacement in the spring.
	Check attic for frost accumulation.  If there is excessive accumulation, it may require repair.
	Before installing indoor or outdoor seasonal lights, check all electrical cords, plugs and outlets for signs of wear.  Test cords and plugs, if they feel warm to the touch or show any signs of wear, replace immediately.
Outside
	Test all outside lights and timers to make sure they are functioning properly.
	Before installing indoor or outdoor seasonal lights, check all electrical cords, plugs and outlets for signs of wear.  Test cords and plugs, if they feel warm to the touch or show any signs of wear, replace immediately.
	Check roof for ice dams or icicles.  If there is excessive staining or frost on the roof’s underside or excessive ice accumulation on the roof itself, it may require repair.