Winter is here, and if you’re feeling a chill in your home or simply thinking ahead to the future, it’s time to look over your winter home maintenance checklist. By ensuring your home is well-maintained during the winter, you’re protecting your investment and saving yourself from costly and time-consuming repair jobs later on. Plus, with JM Construction’s home maintenance services, these tasks are even less stressful, as you’ll have experts on the job.
Inspect Your Heating System
The last thing you ever want is for your heat to suddenly stop working during the coldest months of the year. That’s why it’s imperative that you get your heating system checked early and annually. No matter what kind of heating system you have, a quick inspection could save you a lot of grief, especially if a blizzard or cold snap hits your town. Regular maintenance will ensure you won’t need to call for emergency repairs and if something is breaking down, you’ll have time to fix it properly so it will last for a long time.
Seal Cracks and Gaps Around Windows and Doors
If your home is feeling drafty, there may be gaps or cracks around your windows and doors that need sealing. With heating bills being so expensive, you want to keep your home as air-tight as possible. That’s why the Department of Energy says that updating or replacing your windows is one of the best ways to insulate your home. Have an inspection of your home done to detect any places around your doors and windows where heat is escaping. Then, our home maintenance team can seal them with caulk or weatherstripping to seal them. If the windows themselves seem to be the problem, replacing them entirely is a good idea.

Check Attic and Crawl Space Insulation
Another place you’ll want to get inspected in the winter is your attic and crawl space. This is another area where heat can escape, especially if the insulation isn’t holding up. A good hint that heat might be escaping through your attic comes when the snow falls. If you can see snow on your roof, that’s typically a sign that your attic is well insulated. If it melts quickly, that could mean that heat is escaping as it rises. Have your insulation looked at and knock that concern off of your checklist before you get too deep into winter.
Maintain Roofing and Gutters to Prevent Winter Damage
Speaking of snow on your roof, if you’re seeing some spots melting but others aren’t, you could have a bigger problem than a higher heating bill. Ice dams can be caused by non-uniform roof surface temperatures, such as those caused by bad insulation. When snow on the roof melts, it slides down into the gutters, where it’s drained and brought to the ground. However, if one spot on the roof is still at 32°F, the water will freeze again, creating an ice dam. This dam can damage your roof, letting in moisture which can then cause mold and mildew.
Cleaning your gutters is also essential in preventing ice dams. If they’re clogged with dead leaves and other debris, water can’t safely reach the ground. Instead, it can freeze and create an ice dam or blockage itself, damaging your gutters, roof, and walls. Having them cleaned during the winter can prevent these issues, which will make things easier for you in the long run.
Contact JM Construction today to schedule our home maintenance services and put your winter checklist in capable hands.