While afternoons lately in North Georgia can vary somewhere between spring, summer, and a cozy fall, the mornings often feel like it’s the middle of winter. For homeowners in Hartwell and the surrounding areas, that means it’s time to start preparing your properties for the colder months ahead. Proper winter maintenance won’t just protect your home from the harsh impacts that come with a chilly winter, but a little extra TLC can also help ensure a warm and cozy space for your and your loved ones. If you’re not certain where to start with your winter home maintenance, I’ve got a few items to check off your to do list.
Schedule Your Heating System Inspection
Before the temperatures drop, it is crucial to make sure that your heating system is in good working order. You can do this by scheduling a professional inspection of your furnace or heating system to make sure it operates as it should and to go ahead and get anything fixed that might leave you and your home freezing this season.
Additionally, you may want to inspect your home for drafts. Check the windows and doors for gaps that could let cold air in and make use of weather stripping or caulk to help seal any leaks you find. This will help keep your home warm and reduce that already expensive winter bill
Prepare Your Plumbing
Now, this may sound kind of silly to read, but the reality is that plumbing is often one of the biggest issues homeowners face throughout the winter season. Cold weather can lead to frozen pipes, which in turn frequently leads to dealing with a pipe that’s burst, and it can ultimately cause major damage to your home.
Preventative measures that may help you avoid this costly fix can include things like insulating exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or heat tape solutions. Be extra cautious with areas that aren’t heated such as a basement, attic, or crawl space.
On nights when temperatures drop below freezing, leave your faucets dripping slightly and open up the cabinet doors to help let the heat from your home in as an extra safety measure.
Inspect Your Roof and Gutters
Your roof is your home’s first line of defense against winter weather, and it’s a costly shield that you want functioning perfectly. As the full chill of winter approaches, make sure to Inspect your roof for any missing or damaged shingles, and address any issues before snow and ice accumulate.
Homes in Franklin County and neighboring cities might not receive snow often, but freezing temperatures and rain showers can still lead to unexpected damages if your roof needs some care. If you have an older roof, consider having a professional roofing contractor assess its condition.
To help your roof thrive, make sure you clean your gutters to ensure proper drainage. Clogged gutters can lead to ice dams, which can damage your roof and lead to leaks. In North Georgia, heavy rains followed by freezing temperatures can create a perfect storm for ice dams, so keeping your gutters clear is essential.
Test or Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
This one is more about your safety, but not less significant in prepping for winter. During this cold season, homeowners rely heavily on heating systems, which can pose risks if not properly maintained.
Ensure that smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are functioning correctly by testing them and replacing batteries as needed. Having working detectors in your home is crucial for your family’s safety, especially during months when our heating systems are in full use.
If you don’t have anything installed, these small detectors are typically pretty easy to install yourself. However, if you or a loved one in the area need some help making sure a smoke or carbon monoxide detector is properly installed, many electricians in the area are certified and prepared to help you out. Give me a call if you need the number to a local contractor, or if you have questions about making sure your home is ready for winter and prepared for showings during this chilly season.