Protect Your Home from Winter Weather with Our Maintenance Checklist

Winter is just around the corner! While the winter season in Northern Delaware can bring frigid temperatures and harsh weather conditions, there are steps you can take to prevent costly damage to your home. Whether it’s protecting your roof from ice dams or ensuring the safety of your fireplace, here’s a comprehensive checklist to help you maintain your home during the winter months!

Outdoor Maintenance

1. Prepare your yard for winter: Cover or remove patio furniture, toys, gardening supplies, hoses, and lawn equipment to prevent damage during snowstorms or harsh weather.
2. Prevent cold air infiltration: Check the caulking around doors, windows, and any areas where outside faucets or air vents penetrate the walls. Replace deteriorating caulking to prevent drafts. Also, inspect the weatherstripping on doors and windows and replace it if necessary.
3. Remove window screens: Increase natural light and solar heat gain in your home by removing window screens before temperatures drop. This will also help preserve your windowsills.
4. Have your roof inspected: Contact a reputable contractor, such as the Best Choice Roofing, to inspect your roof for any damage or missing shingles. They can also provide advice on when a roof replacement might be needed in the future.
5. Protect pipes from freezing: Disconnect garden hoses outdoors and insulate pipes near windows, doors, or unheated areas of your home. Consider leaving faucets dripping slightly indoors during extreme cold weather. Keep your heater at 55 degrees or higher, even if you’re away from home.

Tree Maintenance

1. Update your tree maintenance: Trim any tree limbs that brush against your roof or siding, as they can lead to moisture damage. Remove dead branches or limbs that pose a safety hazard or encourage moisture intrusion.
2. Prune trees during dormancy: Pruning dormant trees during winter can help protect their health and promote growth when spring arrives.

Preventing Ice Dams

1. Clean your gutters: Clear gutters of debris, bird nests, and other obstructions to ensure proper drainage. Clogged gutters can lead to leaks, ice dams, or damage to your roof or siding.
2. Inspect your attic: Ensure your attic has adequate insulation and ventilation to prevent ice dams from forming on your roof.
3. Remove snow from your roof: Consider hiring professionals to remove snow from your roof after winter storms to prevent ice dams and potential damage.

Indoor Maintenance

1. Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: Test the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly, especially during winter when windows are closed and fireplaces are in use. Ensure you have an adequate number of detectors throughout your home.
2. Clean your fireplace: If you have a gas fireplace, check for any nests or debris in the chimney. For wood-burning fireplaces or stoves, hire a certified chimney sweep to clean them and prevent house fires.
3. Maintain your furnace: Regularly change air filters and, if you have a gas furnace, have it professionally cleaned every three years. Contact a reputable company if your furnace is not functioning properly.
4. Protect your flooring: Place floor mats inside and outside each entrance of your home to prevent damage from tracked-in snow, ice, and road salt.
5. Reverse ceiling fan direction: Flip the reverse switch on your ceiling fans so they rotate clockwise during winter. This creates an updraft that pushes warm air down, helping to save on heating costs.
6. Prepare emergency supplies: Stock up on shelf-stable food, bottled water, flashlights (with fresh batteries), and a well-equipped first-aid kit in case of power outages or emergencies.
7. Get winter weather supplies: Replace any damaged snow shovels and ensure you have ice melt and salt for walkways and driveways.

Maintaining your home during the winter season is essential for preventing costly damages. When it comes to roof replacement or repair, trust Best Choice Roofing Northern Delaware. As one of the top 1% of roofing contractors in the United States recognized by Owens Corning, we provide reliable and professional roofing services. Contact us for a free roof inspection!