Resources & Tools

Why is winter home maintenance important? 

Indiana winters can take a toll on your home. Since your home is typically your most expensive asset, it makes good sense to stay on top of seasonal home maintenance. Before the snow, ice and everything not so nice sets in, make sure you complete your winter home maintenance checklist. If you take care of your home, it will take care of you through the long Indiana winter!  

Winter home maintenance tips to follow 
 
 

Set your sights on the seals

Loss of heat is the enemy during winter. Not only can it make you feel a bit chilly, but it can also really cost you when it comes to your heating bills. Thoroughly checking each window, door, and exterior caulking and weather stripping for gaps or damage is a must-do step in winter home maintenance. If you find issues or areas where heat can escape, visit the This Old House website for step-by-step instructions on fixing the issue.  

Watch out for water issues

You know the formula, water + freezing temperatures = ice. And ice and pipes do not mix, in fact, frozen pipes can cause costly damage. Home Depot provides extensive guidance on how to prevent pipes from freezing by insulating them and keeping water moving as temperatures drop severely. Additionally, Lowe’s has a wonderful step-by-step guide on how to winterize your exterior hose bibs. A key step in this winter home maintenance process is disconnecting the hose and storing it until warmer weather returns.  

Get your gutters in order

If your gutters are full of leaves and debris at the end of fall, make sure you find time to clean them before the snow starts falling. Gutter cleaning is like cold weather home care 101. Make sure it happens every year. Clogged gutters can lead to ice dams which can then cause water damage when the ice eventually melts. If you don’t feel up to cleaning your gutters, you can hire someone to complete the job. House Digest offers a variety of gutter cleaning tips like cleaning them early and often, pruning nearby trees, checking gutters after heavy storms and more.   

Check and replace outdoor light bulbs

Winter, it’s dark and gloomy. But you can set yourself up for success when it comes to your outdoor lighting. According to Batteries Plus, the best way to ensure you don’t have lighting issues during the winter is to check and change bulbs before it gets too cold. Light-emitting diode (LED) lights perform better in colder temperatures, and you can always add more fixtures to increase visibility as needed.  

Remove or winterize window air conditioning (AC) units 

The cold weather can negatively impact these units, and it is recommended that you remove and store them before the first frost. If you can’t fully remove the unit, there are AC unit covers available for purchase. The HVAC.com website includes advice on how to remove, clean and store your window AC unit before winter arrives. 

Set yourself up for winter storm success 

Part of preparing your home for winter weather includes planning for storms. It’s possible that you may have trouble leaving your home for some time after significant snowfall, especially if you live in areas that aren’t plowed frequently. The American Red Cross has compiled a great guide to help you prepare for winter weather. It includes information on when to pay attention to storms, supplies you should stock up on, how to stay connected during a storm and more.  

Keeping your house well maintained during the winter season can help prevent issues—and save you money. Get started early in the fall and it won’t seem so overwhelming!