Winter Home Maintenance Checklist – Tips for Winterizing Your Home

As temperatures begin to dip below freezing throughout the Pacific Northwest, now’s the time to prepare your home for the winter months ahead. To help give you a head start, we’ve created this simple winter-ready checklist with tips on winterizing your home.

1. Prevent Ice Damming
   Clear the roof and gutters of white slush after heavy snowstorms to prevent ice damming. If ice dams begin to form, moisture may seep below your shingles and into the interior wall cavities and subfloors creating significant damage to your home’s interior and personal belongings. This moisture can also lead to unseen mold growth.
2. Check for Leaks
   Check your home’s attic and crawlspace for possible water intrusion, animals, or other foreign matter.
3. Reverse Ceiling Fan
   Switch the direction on ceiling fans to run clockwise at a low speed to create an upward draft and help distribute heat throughout your home.
4. Inspect Electrical Panel
   Check the main electrical panel for moisture, rust, and general operation of circuit breakers. If there appears to be damage, call a professional to service the unit.
5. Caulking
   Recheck caulking behind sinks and throughout the kitchen and bathrooms. Caulking keeps moisture out of the countertops and cabinets where mold can build up.
6. Furnace Filters
   Replace your furnace filters to prevent dust, dirt, mold spores, bacteria, and allergens from building up within the air of your home. The life cycle of your furnace and its efficiency is also affected by the replacement of air filters. Also, consider having the heating system inspected by a professional so you can be confident your system will be in working order when cold temperatures hit.
7. Clean Kitchen Appliances
   Clean appliances (inside and out) and vacuum refrigerator coils. Wipe down fridge shelves and storage bins, removing them to clean if possible. Any household cleaning product will do but opt for cleaning with white vinegar or baking soda to also absorb stubborn odors.
8. Heating Vents
   Clean dust and debris and remove obstructions to improve the efficiency of your heating systems. Not only will this increase the longevity of your system, but it will also help save on heating bills during the winter.
9. Clear Snowfall
   Keep snow clear from around home and foundation vents to avoid moisture buildup in the crawlspace as it melts.

Winter’s harsh conditions can wreak havoc on a home if the structure isn’t probably maintained and winterized. Performing these tasks will prevent costly repairs, and they will keep your home healthy for years to come. If your home maintenance list has gotten too long and you’re looking to build a new affordable home in Oregon, Washington or Idaho, contact us to see how we can help.