Winter home maintenance

The months following the busy holiday season always seem to lull and drag on before the weather warms up.

It's a great time to do some home projects and maintenance around your home!

(I left a Christmas surprise at the bottom!)

Your home is one of your biggest investments in life, so why not take extra good care of it. Investments are only worth investing in if you plan to keep putting effort and time into them.

#1 - Check your exterior exhaust pipes and vents clear of snow

This not only helps your furnace work properly but also your dryer, fireplace, and stove. Blocked exhaust pipes or vents can lead to carbon monoxide buildup in your home - which can be deadly.

#2 - Change your HVAC filter (every 30-60 days)

Keeps your furnace running at its best!

"The objective of cleaning is not just to clean, but to feel happiness living within that environment"

#3 - Run water and flush unused toilets

Leaving plumbing unused for a long period of time, especially in the winter can cause gasses to build up and enter your home.

#4 - Check gutters and roof for ice dams and icicles

Leaving these unattended can lead to serious damage such as rotten soffits and fascia, warped gutters and downspouts, water stains on your home, damaged attics and wet insulation, and shingle and roof damage.

In my last home I ended up installing heat strips to keep the ice dams from building up!

#5 - Make sure your sump pump is working correctly

As pretty as all the snow is, it will melt at some point which will leave your sump pump in overdrive.

TIP: Make sure you have a non-collapsible hose hooked up to the exterior and gutter extensions attached for the day it does start to melt. This will help water from getting down in your foundation.

#6 - Inspect your windows and doors weather stripping

Last year my entry way window was covered in ice due to bad stripping and airflow getting through which warped the wood surrounding. With these low temperatures this is a great time to check your windows and doors for drafts!

#7 - Home projects

This is a great time to attend to home projects and things that have been put on the backburner!

Check the caulking in your bathrooms and kitchens and re-do if needed. This will help your countertops last longer and water from getting between which leads to mold.

Clean the appliances, as much as we try, we don't always get around to deep cleaning our appliances as frequently as we should. This slow season is a great time to deep clean the oven, microwave, refrigerator, and deep freezers!

BONUS: I did a poll on Instagram asking what my readers would like to see this week and a few did vote Christmas themed blog. I'm not one to disappoint so I started a Pinterest board of all things Christmas. On the board you will find everything meals starting at breakfast to desert, games and activities for the family, Christmas tradition musts, and stocking stuffer ideas! stuffer ideas! tuffer ideas! uffer ideas! ffer ideas! fer ideas! er ideas! r ideas! ideas! ideas! deas! eas! as! s! !

#7 - Check your humidifier

Humidifiers, especially in these negative temperatures are helpful for reducing risk of bacteria and viruses, moisturizing your skin, and easing asthma.

Merry Christmas!

Cleaning doesn't have to be stressful. Put on some good jams and knock out your Sunday to-do list! Making a list helps a lot in having something to cross of and knowing what's next.

SURPRISE: I did a poll on Instagram asking what my readers would like to see this week and votes were close for a Christmas themed blog. I'm not one to disappoint so I started a Pinterest board of all things Christmas. On the board you will find everything meals starting at breakfast to desert, games for the family, fun drinks, Christmas tradition musts, and stocking stuffer ideas! Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

https://pin.it/6AQEBZ6