When it comes to getting ahead of winter, we often think about home maintenance before frost and snow. But what about winter home maintenance mistakes?
These 11 mistakes, shared by our experienced home construction and home maintenance experts, can lead to costly damage, moisture, mold, and a variety of other problems, including avoidable increases in energy costs.
We spoke to experienced contractors to learn how to prepare a home for the cold and what home maintenance mistakes you should never make this season.
11 Home Maintenance Mistakes You Should Never Make in Winter
1. Neglecting attic and basement insulation
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As the highest and lowest points of your home, it is important to insulate the attic and basement well to reduce your energy costs and improve your home's EPC rating .
"There's no point in sealing windows and doors, but rather skimping on insulation in the attic and basement," says Meredith Blackwelder, renovation and maintenance expert at NewHomesMate . "Hot air escapes wherever it can, leading to higher energy costs."
Blackwelder recommends Frost King foam pipe insulation, available on Amazon , to improve heating efficiency, and Owens Corning FIBERGLASS PINK attic insulation, also available on Amazon , which can provide the warmth you pay to stay indoors, and which keeps temperatures and costs high. weak.'
If you're wondering whether you should insulate your basement ceiling , our dedicated article goes over the pros and cons.
2. Do not disconnect hoses from outdoor faucets.
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If you want to prevent outdoor faucets from freezing and bursting, the most important step is to disconnect all hoses.
"Broken pipes are a big problem when temperatures are extreme, and the main reason we get calls to repair broken pipes in the winter is because customers leave their pipes full of water hanging from their outdoor taps," explains Hendrik Vandepoll . Co-Owner and Master Plumber at Service Force Plumbing in Rockville, MD. "If you leave the hose connected to the faucet, it will not allow the water to flow and will hold it back, which can cause the pipe to the house to freeze and rupture."
This even applies to "frost-proof" faucets, Vandepoll warns, because the mechanism that makes them weatherproof is simply a shut-off valve deep in the wall that allows water to flow out of the pipe to prevent freezing. . However, if your hose remains connected to the device, the water will not be able to drain.
"There is a risk of a burst pipe, a flood, water damage and a plumber call," he says. "Always disconnect hoses from faucets in cold weather. »
If you don't already have one, consider installing a frost-free faucet, like the SharkBite 12-Inch Frost-Free Faucet available on Amazon , recommends Vandepoll. Just make sure you drain the hose first.
3. Manually control your home's temperature
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We know how tempting it is to turn up the thermostat in your home when it's cold, but manually controlling the room temperature in your home in the winter is not only a lot of work, it can also cost money.
"This will inevitably cause you to waste energy," says Elizabeth Dodson, co-founder of HomeZada . "Instead, install a programmable thermostat to ensure maximum temperature control. »
This allows you to keep your home at the perfect equilibrium temperature that keeps you warm and comfortable, while saving energy and money by eliminating waste.
"Every homeowner has the perfect temperature," adds Dodson, and 68°F (20°C) is the best temperature for a thermostat in the winter , according to HVAC experts. So avoid common thermostat errors by keeping your value within this range.
Dodson recommends the Amazon Smart Thermostat, available on Amazon , which offers instant automatic control. "It's a simple but smart, affordable model that can be used independently or with Alexa or Ring," he says. So it's a good option if you're worried about the cost of replacing a thermostat .
4. Neglecting your outdoor kitchen
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Just because summer is over, "don't forget about your outdoor kitchen," says Glenn Lewis, president of Mr. Appliance . "There's still something to do after this last meal of the year."
If you need to clean an outdoor kitchen but don't know where to start, start by cleaning your grill with a strong degreaser, like the EASY-OFF degreaser cleaner available at Walmart , which will give your grill a light olive-colored coating. Oil and turn off the gas if you have a gas grill, recommends Lewis.
Next, turn off your refrigerator and wipe off any moisture before closing it. To do this, use a spray disinfectant, e.g. E.g. the Method Antibacterial all-purpose cleaner available at Walmart , and a microfiber cloth, e.g. B. Cleaning cloths made from MR.SIGA microfiber, also available. at Walmart .
"If you have an outdoor dishwasher, also turn off the water and electricity," says Lewis. "Disconnect the drain hose, drain the water in the pump and then reconnect the hose."
5. Do not disconnect or drain the irrigation.
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Just like disconnecting hoses from outdoor faucets, irrigation systems and sprinklers should also be disconnected in the winter.
"Like outdoor faucets but rather forgotten, sprinkler and irrigation systems in both the north and south need to be drained before winter as they generally have much less insulation protection, many more connections and breakpoints, and even a cold snap can damage them," says David Steckel, product and innovation manager at Sears Home Services .
Blow out your sprinkler system , disconnect hoses and winterize exposed sprinkler parts before temperatures drop, Steckel recommends.
If you're not sure how or when to winterize a sprinkler system , check out our guides on how to avoid freezing and cracking.
6. Monitor the chimney and chimney maintenance.
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How often should you clean your chimney ? After a long break in the summer, your fireplace will be used frequently in the winter, so it is important to pay attention to its maintenance.
"Before you light the fireplace, make sure it is safe," emphasizes Blackwelder. "Many people don't clean their chimneys as there is a risk of harmful gases accumulating."
Sweep regularly using tools like the Rutland Products Round Chimney Cleaning Brush found on Amazon . Dodson recommends that a thorough cleaning won't be necessary until later, when the weather turns and you're in a hurry to warm up.
"Once your house is finally warm, a chimney balloon, like the Inflatable Fireplace Balloon Chimney Plug available at Walmart , will help keep it that way," he adds, who will protect a chimney but shouldn't use one with an active heater. . Vented Gas Log Kit
Dodson recommends hiring a professional chimney sweep at least once a year, in the fall or winter, to remove toxic and flammable soot buildup. And "for frequent burners, I would also recommend lighting a creosote log at least once a season." These work as part of a great chimney cleaning routine.
These Pine Mountain Firelog Creosote Busters can be purchased on Amazon and are "one of the best creosote logs on the market," says Dodson.
7. Your HVAC system is not checked
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If you're wondering how often an HVAC system should be serviced , the answer is: at least once a year.
"The most common home maintenance mistake is not checking the air conditioning or heating system before the cold season begins," says Brad Roberson, president of Aire Serv . "It is a good idea to service the system before the start of summer and winter to ensure it is ready for the cold and warm seasons."
Homeowners should also change air filters every 30 to 90 days, depending on their needs. The HVAC system also needs to be cleaned , warns Roberston. "Homeowners should also ensure that vents are not blocked and that dirt, brush and yard debris are removed from the outdoor condenser to allow for proper air circulation."
"If owners hear strange noises such as clicking noises when the system is turned on, this may indicate a problem. Strange smells like eggs can also indicate a problem with the system. Make sure the air filter is not dirty and blocking airflow.
You can check your thermostat to make sure everything is working properly.
8. Roof ventilation is not checked
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"Warm air left in the attic with nowhere to go leads to moisture, mold and ice buildup, and potentially costly damage to your home," says Blackwelder. "Before turning on the heater, check that the ventilation slots are not blocked or covered. »
If you can't find one, Blackwelder recommends installing the Lomanco Whirlybird turbine fan available at Walmart and seeking professional help if you're unsure how to ventilate an attic to avoid injury to yourself or your family.
9. Forgetting to waterproof the roof and gutters
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With the colder temperatures of fall and winter, your roof and gutters are exposed to wet weather and freezing temperatures.
"Remember to check your roof and gutters to repair any holes and gaps, including in your home, garage or a garden structure," says Dodson.
To repair the holes, you can use a waterproof sealant, such as: B. Gorilla White Caulk & Seal, available at Walmart , which is suitable for all weather conditions and 100% waterproof. Consider using plywood sheets to plug larger holes to prevent drafts and moisture from entering.
You may also need to clean your gutters , which is something you should not ignore to prevent gutters from clogging and allow water to flow freely. Consider installing gutter guards as a longer-term solution.
10. Install insulation on the left side of the garage doors.
(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)
While you want as much insulation as possible in the winter, avoid installing it on the wrong side of your garage doors, says Jon Russell, systems manager at Precision Garage Door Service .
"One mistake we see is that homeowners insulate the back of their doors," he says. "The problem is that they added extra weight to the door and didn't replace the springs to properly balance the door."
Avoid this mistake by calling a local door company to install insulation and replace springs, or replace the entire door if necessary, he adds, to winterize a garage like a pro .
11. Failure to protect pipes
(Image credit: Urbanology Designs / Matti Gresham)
Finally , it's important to prepare your home's interior plumbing for winter .
"Protect your pipes by wrapping them," says Dodson. "It's worth it if there's a risk of your pipes freezing. »
Use adhesive tape, e.g. Such as the 2" x 98.4 ft wide foam pipe insulation tape available on Amazon and recommended by Dodson . Features excellent heat retention technology, with strong self-adhesive design, easy to use and install yourself.
If you're planning on preparing your home for winter, you'll want to find out what to do if your washing machine freezes .
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