Three Important-to-Remember but Easy-to-Forget Home Maintenance Tasks You Should Take Care of as the Winter Months Approach.
Winter is coming. Here in Upstate NY, that means snow, ice, wind, freezing rain, hail and frigid temperatures are on their way.
While you may have the heat turned on inside, plenty of blankets piled up on the couch and your winter coat pulled out of the back of the closet, there are likely still a few things you need to take care of before you settle into hibernation for the remainder of the winter months.
If you’re like most homeowners you probably aren’t as prepared for winter as you think. So before you hole up for the remainder of the season, be sure to take care of these four important home maintenance tasks!
1. Complete Everything On Your Fall Maintenance Checklist
Technically, this may count as more than one ‘task,’ as fall home maintenance checklists tend to include numerous items. Either way, completing ALL of the items on your fall maintenance checklist is imperative if you want your home’s interior and exterior to be well prepared for the winter months.
Don’t have a fall maintenance checklist on hand? Check out our fall home maintenance tips to get you started.
2. Prepare For Winter Emergencies
Power outages, water leaks and other occurrences that might qualify as issues or inconveniences during most times of the year can be much more serious during the winter months. Sub-freezing temperatures can complicate these issues, not to mention blizzards and ice storms are not uncommon in our area, causing emergencies of their own.
As the winter months set in, be sure you are well prepared for any emergency that might come along. Have flashlights and extra batteries on hand, and purchase candles, firewood and a lighter or matches to use as a sources of light and heat if the power goes out. Keep extra warm blankets and a first aid kit in a convenient, dry place and set aside some bottled water and non-perishable food for both humans and pets to be used in case of emergency.
3. Make Snow Clearing Equipment Easily Accessible
Making sure your shovels are accessible and prepping your snowblower for another season of hard work is something that tends to be a low priority until the snow starts to fly. Unfortunately, if a snow storm hits before you’re prepared, this can make for dangerous conditions on your property.
If you’re a new homeowner, make sure you have purchased a couple of shovels to have on hand. And if you’re a seasoned homeowner, drag those shovels and pieces of snow clearing equipment out of wherever you’ve stored it for the off-season so it’s easily accessible when the inevitable first winter storm hits.
Prepare Your Home For Winter in Upstate NY
Mark your calendar or set yourself a reminder – winter is coming and these items need to be addressed before it arrives in earnest!
Looking for other tips and tricks for keeping your house in good order during the winter and all year round? Check out the following resources:
Fall Home Maintenance Checklist