Homeowners

The Top 7 Home Maintenance Tasks to Complete Before Winter

Once freezing temperatures set in and snow starts falling, it can be hard to get much home maintenance done in much of the country. To make matters worse, certain issues, like leaks or drafts, can be exacerbated by colder temperatures.

So, you may want to get ahead of winter issues by taking care of certain home maintenance tasks before the mercury drops.

“[These tasks] are all much cheaper to take care of during the month of November than they are to fix during the month of February,” said Manny Kavouklis, president of CMK Construction in Tampa, Fla.

If there is larger work that needs to get done, homeowners may want to consider using a home equity loan to help fund the project.

Here’s what homeowners may want to get started on before it’s too late.

1. Check your heating system and boiler

One of the most important things Kavouklis recommended doing before chillier temperatures set in is a heating and boiler tune-up.

“Get your furnace serviced when it starts to get colder [and] change your filters and fix small issues,” said Kavouklis.

Completing this relatively simple maintenance ASAP helps prevent bigger heating issues that could happen on the coldest days.

2. Seal drafty windows and doors

Remember to seal up those drafts before you turn your heating system back on. Caulking and weatherstripping are easy, effective, and inexpensive.

“You will [often] be spending less than $100 to make your house cozier,” said Kavouklis.

However, weatherstripping might not be enough for older homes with single-pane windows or weaker heating systems.

Those homeowners may want to “look into insulation or window upgrades before the real cold weather sets in,” said Matt Greenawalt. He is the senior vice president of marketing at Remodel Your Home, which matches customers with local contractors.

Adding insulation to your walls or replacing windows can be pricey, but you don’t need to pay for it all in cash upfront.

Instead, homeowners may want to consider funding larger repairs through a home equity loan. These include a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), a cash-out refinance, or even a second mortgage.

HELOCs and second mortgages are in addition to your primary home loan and allow you to keep your existing interest rates. Meanwhile, a cash-out refinance replaces your existing mortgage with a new, larger one and you pocket the cash.

3. Clear out gutters

Gutters are easy to forget about, and frankly, sometimes a pain to maintain. But it’s critical to check on your gutters after months of summer storms and fall leaf litter.

“If they’re clogged, leaking or pulling away from the house, you want to get that taken care of before winter,” said Greenawalt. “The last thing you want is water collecting where it shouldn’t and then freezing, which can end up causing damage to your roof or foundation.”

If you’d rather not spend an afternoon on a ladder with a bucket and some gloves, hire gutter cleaning professionals instead.

4. Examine your roof

While you’re working on those gutters, check out your roof. You don’t want to have leaks as the snow collects on your roof, when it’s harder to have roofers fix problems. Look for leaks, exposed sections, or missing shingles, and remedy them.

“Once snow and ice start coming, water can work its way into those exposed areas of your roof,” said Greenawalt. “A relatively minor problem can turn into a much bigger repair.”

If you realize your roof has a few too many issues to justify simply repairing it, you may need to replace it. Consider using a home equity loan to fund the expense.

5. Clean the chimney

A blocked chimney or dirty wood stove will be more than simply inefficient: it can also be hazardous.

Take some time to brush away ash, clear flues, and check for obstructions before using a fireplace or wood-burning stove. If you run into major issues, like a pest problem or structural concern, consider contacting a professional.

6. Tend to outdoor areas

Once the growing season winds down, spend some time clearing out old vegetation from flower beds, greenery, and gardens.

Make sure to put away outdoor furniture for the season so it doesn’t get ruined. And keep an eye on any cracks in your pavement or driveway. These can expand in colder weather. So, any that you notice now may need to be on your home to-do list come spring.

7. Trim trees

Long, poorly supported branches are often a recipe for disaster in wintertime. They can collect snow and ice and snap, landing on a car, a home, or a power line.

Keep an eye out for these problematic limbs and trim them before they become a problem.