Living in the Northern climates of the Upper Midwest, winter is no stranger to homeowners. It’s hard to ignore every time some of the white stuff falls on your sidewalk or driveway and the chill on your exposed skin tells you it’s definitely colder than it was a few months ago even. On the upside there’s not the regular need to mow the lawn or even the list of projects to complete when you would rather be outside and enjoying the day than painting or raking leaves. There are some tasks that still need doing though, and making time for them can save you a lot of money and frustration if you take 10 minutes to walk around outside your house, and inside to look for potential issues. Whether you’re a new homeowner or an experienced one, here are some of the more common issues to look for. Today’s blog post is broken into two categories; outside and inside. If you’re feeling industrious you can do them both at once, or you can break this up over two days. It’s better to do all of this before it gets REALLY cold though, so don’t delay!
Outside Home Checks
Take a walk around your house and look for potential issues. If it’s early in the winter, or if it’s part way through and you forgot to do it, make sure your exterior faucets are turned off from inside the home. This video from local home inspectors Structure Tech is a good reminder in case you forgot. If that’s already done for the year, you can continue on your walk around the house. If not, do that immediately and come back to this after. As you walk around the house, do the following visual inspections:
- Ensure that air intakes and exhaust vents are unobstructed – the photo below is also from Structure Tech and shows how snow, vegetation, and debris should not obstruct any intake or vent on your home.
- Check Roofline and Gutters for snow and ice issues – Snow naturally collects in certain areas, but the development of ice in these areas can signal a growing concern. Heat loss here can create ice dams which result in costly repairs and water inside your home. If the snow is getting deep, use a snow rake to clear the first few feet as a preventative measure.
- Ensure trees and vegetation are clear of the home – a good rule of thumb is that limbs should not be closer than 6 feet from your siding or roof, and a winter storm can cause limbs to scrape your house or break off and land on it.
- Make sure your exterior faucets are off – I did note it above, but I have seen them forgotten about (especially when fall is mild and dry) until spring and then the issue is identified. Seriously, check them.
- Check downspouts and flat areas to avoid ice formation on the ground – Frozen water may seem more like a fall hazard than a moisture management issue, but any time you see ice on the ground next to your home should be a cause for concern. Ensure downspouts are long enough to get any melt water away from the home to avoid wet basements in the next big thaw.
Interior Home Checks
Many of the following items can be done as you are in your home without making special time to do so, but being aware and not complacent helps head off any inside issues. Some of these checks include preventative maintenance so, here again, if you forgot to do it earlier do not delay further.
- Regular Maintenance of your Furnace or Boiler prevents breakdowns – You should be servicing your heating plant as the manufacturer recommends, but generally this is every other year or more. A safety check before it really gets cold can save you misery and money on the emergency service call.
- Keep an eye out for leaks – any change in the color of your ceiling paint (dark rings or areas of ceiling and walls especially) as well as those around windows and where upper level walls and ceiling meet are signs that you have a water issue and need a professional. If you see this developing, don’t delay!
- Pay attention to excess condensation on windows – while older homes may naturally get this due to drafty windows, getting it heavily and frequently is a sign of a potential issue. Window film helps old windows (be sure to dry the glass and wood completely before adding film to avoid mold growth), but a common issue is the improper setting of whole house humidifiers such as Aprilaire units.
- Sewer / floor drain backup – Tree root growth may not stop in the cold months, so older waste lines can be problematic during these months. Getting a plumber to clean out slow draining laundry tubs or floor drains before it becomes a big mess is always a wise idea.
Unlike in depth posts, this one is meant for you to quickly do some key items to head off future issues. If you need a recommendation for a contractor or service provider, I am always ready to make one for your needs and where you live. However you choose to enjoy the winter, make the most of it by avoiding issues with proper maintenance.