The holidays have passed, and while you’ve probably spent a lot of time cleaning before the holidays, there are some other winter home maintenance tasks you don’t want to forget about. Most of us will spend more time indoors during the winter than in other seasons, so it’s important to take some time to ensure the home is well-maintained and prepared to keep us warm and safe. ServiceMaster of Baltimore offers these 5 reminders to keep your home in top shape this winter.
1. Clean the Dryer Vent
If you’ve had your dryer vent cleaned in the past two or three years, you get to skip this step! Most dryer vents only need to be cleaned every four or five years. Most home fires occur in the winter, and dryers are a literal hot spot in the home that must be regularly maintained. Over time, lint builds up and hardens in the vent leading from the dryer to the outdoors, which can pose a fire hazard if not removed. A clogged dryer vent can also lead to a dryer malfunction. Call a professional vent cleaning company to avoid this dangerous fire hazard.
2. Tune Up the Snow Blower
The last thing you need is to be caught in the first snowstorm of the year with the snow blower stuck in the shed with no gasoline or oil. Take your seasonal outdoor equipment to a mechanic for a tune-up or take care of it yourself at home. It’s also a good idea to move the snowblower and your other winter essentials like ice melt, shovels, and snow boots to a convenient location so you have them available when you need them.
3. Regularly Inspect Plumbing to Avoid Frozen Pipes
Any disruption to your home plumbing system can cause damage beyond the underlying problem. Frozen pipes can lead to leaks, bursts, or even electrocution hazards. It also means that water is not flowing in your home the way it’s supposed to, and leaks can cause thousands of dollars in water damage and lead to mold and mildew growth. Be sure to regularly inspect pipes, especially in attics, basements, and garages, and call a plumber right away if you suspect a problem.
4. Prepare a Winter Storm Emergency Kit
Power outages are a common occurrence in the winter, often as a result of snow and ice weighing down power lines and tree branches. Be prepared for outages or being unable to leave your home by preparing a winter storm emergency kit with enough supplies for each family member. There are plenty of resources available online to help you prepare your kit depending on your situation.
5. Clean Gutters and Check Insulation
Gutters should be cleaned after the leaves have finished falling from the trees, so winter is a good time to make sure they’re free of debris. This is also a good time to inspect the insulation in the attic or eaves of your home to avoid ice dam formation caused by insufficient temperature regulation.
If winter does damage your home, ServiceMaster of Baltimore can help. We have certified, licensed restoration technicians on call 24/7 to minimize damage and get you back to normal life fast. Give us a call at (410) 498-8030">(410) 498-8030 orrequest an estimate online today.
