Ah, the joys of being a homeowner: picking out a new paint color, replacing that leaky faucet, and of course, seasonal home maintenance. As the leaves start to fall and the temperature drops, it’s time to start thinking about preparing your home for the winter months ahead. Prepping your home for the harsh Wisconsin winters can seem daunting, but fear not, for with the help of a handyman the task of seasonal maintenance can be a breeze. We’ll take a look at how to plan for home maintenance as winter approaches and how a handyman can help you prepare your home for the cold.
Back to the Cleaning Basics
First things first, your home needs a good cleaning. We’re not talking about a quick weekend scrub-down, we’re talking full-on, deep-cleaning mode. Dust those baseboards, wash those windows, and don’t forget to tackle those carpets with a steam cleaning. A handyman can help you with the bigger tasks, such as cleaning out your dryer vent, removing debris from window wells, and cleaning your gutters and downspouts. Not only will all this cleaning make your home look better, but it will also help prevent damage from the harsh winter elements.
Stay Warm by Inspecting Your Insulation
Speaking of harsh winter elements, now’s the time to start thinking about your home’s insulation. Insulating your attic is a great way to ensure that your home stays toasty and warm during the colder months, without sending your heating bill through the roof (literally). A handyman can inspect your home’s insulation and help you determine if an HVAC professional is required for insulation replacement. And while they’re up in your attic, they can also check for any leaks or damage that might prevent your roof from handling the weight of heavy snowfalls.
The Heart of Your Home: The Heating System
The next item on your seasonal home maintenance checklist is perhaps the most important: your heating system. Whether you have a furnace, boiler, or heat pump, it’s important to have it inspected and serviced by a professional before the cold weather sets in. A handyman can help you with this process by inspecting your heating systems and determining if an HVAC professional is required for maintenance or repairs. We all know how cold it can get in Wisconsin during the winter, you don’t want to be left without heat!
In order to ensure that you get the most out of your heating system during the winter, you should swap out the screen in your front door for a storm door. Storm doors provide better insulation and protection from the harsh winter weather conditions. Additionally, the removal of screens prevents snow from getting trapped between the screen and the door, which can cause damage overtime.
Your Home’s Exterior Matters, Too
Now, let’s talk about the exterior of your home. While we’ve already touched on making sure your roof is ready for the winter, it’s also important to check the rest of your home’s exterior for damage that might be exacerbated by winter weather. A handyman can help you inspect your siding for cracks or holes, repair damaged trim, and ensure that your windows are sealed properly. And speaking of windows, winter is a great time to have damaged screens repaired or replaced as you won’t be using the screens during the colder months.
Don’t Forget About Your Plumbing!
Last but not least, it’s important to pay attention to your home’s plumbing before winter sets in. During the winter months, we recommend using water softener salt in your home’s plumbing system. This preventative measure tackles hard water issues, primarily the potential damage from scale build-up within your pipes that could lead to costly repairs. Additionally, soft water boasts superior heating efficiency – a major advantage during the cold winter. To make this process easy for you, consider hiring a handyman to help! They can handle the heavy lifting of salt bags and ensure that your water softener system is adequately filled with salt.
Seasonal home maintenance may not be the most glamorous aspect of homeownership, but it’s a necessary one. By planning ahead and enlisting the help of a handyman, you can ensure that your home is prepared for whatever winter may bring. Whether you’re tackling cleaning tasks, insulating your attic, servicing your heating system, or checking your plumbing, a handyman can offer expert guidance and assistance. So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by your home maintenance checklist, relax and sign up for a Handyman Membership with W.E. Davies and Sons.
