Home Maintenance Best Practices for Harsh American Winters

The American winter is known for its severity in most parts. After the monumental storm hit the Northeast in early 2023, Americans are worried about the worst in 2024. Parts of the eastern US witnessed blizzard conditions, damaging winds, severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, and bitter cold in early January. Nearly 70 million people were under winter weather alerts.

Northeastern Illinois got heavy snow and long outages affecting thousands of residents. Even California, a state that has relatively mild winter, started the year on a chilly note with a mountain snowstorm. Wherever you live in the US, you need to brace yourself and your home for the frigid weather for at least a few days or weeks.

Harsh winter conditions keep you indoors for longer hours. Moreover, the elements affect its comfort levels and lead to high energy bills. As a homeowner, you can do your bit with proper maintenance to ensure a cozy space and maximize energy efficiency. 

In this article, we will share the winter home maintenance best practices that American homeowners must implement. 

Check Your Heating System

A well-maintained heating system is essential to ensure warmth without spending a fortune on energy bills. A pre-winter HVAC inspection is mandatory because providers will be packed during the peak season. Let us consider homeowners in a small city like East Peoria in Illinois. The city gets its fair share of snowfall and below-freezing days. 

Homeowners in the area should get East Peoria HVAC services before the first big snowstorm arrives. That’s because a sudden breakdown can be painful when professionals are not available on the fly. Timely tune-ups and inspections can help you identify problems and address them on time to prevent downtime in the middle of a cold front.

AirAce Heating & Cooling recommends a maintenance plan that includes duct cleaning, furnace maintenance, and proactive repairs. Besides boosting the performance of your heating system, timely maintenance can enhance its efficiency and lower your winter bills.

Prevent Pipes from Freezing

Frozen pipes are another common problem that American homeowners encounter during winter. Statistics show that Texas, New York, and Illinois residents face the maximum damages in this context. Residential pipes can burst due to prolonged exposure to cold air. It can cause extensive damage to your living space.

A few proactive measures can prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. Add insulation to your pipes and faucets to minimize the impact of dropping temperatures. A thorough inspection and timely repair of leaks and weak points can also prevent damage.

Clean Out the Gutters

Cleaning out your gutters may not be on top of your winter home maintenance checklist, but it is as crucial as maintaining your heating system. Your gutters may be clogged with debris and leaves after autumn, specifically if there are trees around your property. Clogging can lead to water accumulation on your roof after rain and snow, leading to structural damage to your house.

Getting a small rake to comb the debris and leaves out of your gutter is a good start. However, DIY is not the best solution, considering the extent of damage clogged gutters can lead to. Hire a professional for the job because they can clean them thoroughly and safely. Clearing everything away before the winter storms set in should be a priority. 

Ensure Structural Integrity

Winter or summer, the structural integrity of your home matters the most. Annual inspections are non-negotiable, and a pre-winter routine makes sense. For example, you can start small by looking for cracks and gaps around the doors and windows and sealing them to keep the warm air in and prevent the cold winds from entering.

A roofing maintenance check is another essential measure as it ensures your property’s structural integrity. Consider repairs or replacement if you notice damaged shingles, leaks, or cracks. Likewise, check the foundation of your home and address the cracks and gaps if any with a foundation repair project.

If you live in one of the earthquake-prone states, consider a consultation with a seismic retrofit contractor to seek advice regarding safeguarding your property. It is a wise investment for California homeowners as the state experiences more damaging earthquakes than any other state.

According to Connor Daly Construction, a residential earthquake retrofit makes some modifications to the building to make it quake-resistant. It entails some spending upfront, but it can save thousands of dollars and protect your loved ones. 

In conclusion, winter damage is a harsh reality Americans live with. Winter storms in 2022 alone cost nearly $6 billion in insured losses, the second-highest year on record in the last decade. While you cannot prevent a natural calamity, proactive maintenance can protect your home from the damage it can cause. Follow this simple checklist to keep winter woes at bay.