The Holidays are over, the Christmas decor is put away, and the colder weather is quickly approaching. Your house may seem empty and bare, with the lack of decor and constant stream house guests coming in and out, but there are so many hidden things to get on top of as you take on the new year. I’ve created a winter home maintenance to-do list to ensure your home is running safely, smoothly, and efficiently! 

1. Deep clean kitchen and appliances: The Holiday season tends to be a time filled with cooking, hosting, and everything else that wears down your appliances in the kitchen. Winter is the perfect time to do a deep clean of all your appliances such as your dishwasher, oven, stove, refrigerator and more! Bacteria grows on these hard to clean surfaces so a nice scrub down can kill those unwanted germs. Another thing to look into is replacing any worn down coils, filters, and other appliance parts. This will help ensure your kitchen is running efficiently, while also ensuring safety. 

2. Change out air filters and vents: As you begin to switch over from your air conditioning to heat, be sure to clean out those air filters! Making this a habit will keep your HVAC system running smoothly and last longer. Dirty filters cause more strain on your system and will eventually lead to costly repairs. Determining the right filter for your home can also help remove pet dander, dust, and other unwanted particles, leaving your air cleaner throughout the house. Vents are also areas that tend to get overlooked causing buildup. Take the time to clean the debris out of air vents and dryer vents to help with the air quality in your home! 

3. Do an inspection on your home structure: We all know the structure of your home settles over time but seasonal temperature changes have a huge impact on the foundation of your house. Your home contracts in the cooler months and expands in the warmer months, sometimes leaving cracks in sheetrock and molding. Take the time to touch up minor imperfections and inspect your house for bigger impacts. While you are inspecting for structural damage, this is also a good time to look for any leaks, or damages from rodents. 

4. Check/ add installation: Your home is insulated to help keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. When your intulation gets below 12 inches deep, it is time to call a professional to get some more added! This quick fix will help keep your house running efficiently and help cut down on those costly energy bills! 

5. Check your plumping and do a rinse: Having a water leak can lead to a very expensive bill and can do damage on the foundation of your house. It is always a good idea to take the time to check your plumbing for any signs of a potential leak, and get them fixed now versus paying the price later! If you have any areas of your house that do not get used as often as others, do a quick flush or rinse to keep these pipes clean and avoid any frozen pipes during the colder months! 

6. Check for mold: Mold can hide in many areas of your house, spread quickly, and get yourself and your family sick. Do a thorough inspection of areas where mold is prone to grow, if this is something you do not feel comfortable doing on your own, hire a professional to do an inspection of your house to ensure the safety of you and your family! 

7. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: Most smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors have a very loud alarm when your batteries are running low, however sometimes they do not alarm you at all. It is always good to go ahead and replace the batteries and make sure they are functioning properly! If you pay monthly for the detectors to notify the police, now is the time to call your provider and have them do a test of your equipment. 

8. Check and replace fire extinguishers: This may come to you as a shock, but yes fire extinguishers do expire! Make sure they are within date, and all components are intact. If the needle on the pressure gauge is in the green, you’re all set. Otherwise, get it recharged. If it looks faulty, go ahead and replace it. It is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to fire prevention. 

9. Clean gutters: It may be cold outside but take the time to clear your gutters of leaves, debris, ice dams, and icicles to prevent damage to your roof and siding. Use a roof rake to clean snow off your roof and trees. If getting on your roof is something you do not enjoy doing, find a professional to get this off of your to do list!

10. Replace light bulbs: Often when a light bulb goes out we wait until all the bulbs in the fixture are blown to replace them, so before you are left in the dark go around your house making note of which ones need to be replaced. This also goes for your exterior lights! Winter is a  dark time of year, so it’s important to have working outdoor lights for your safety and home security. Replace any burnt-out bulbs to ensure the safety of your home and family!