The winter season brings a rush of excitement with the holidays right around the corner. Get a head start on winterizing your home and preparing for your holiday guests, so you can relax and enjoy the season.
Inspect the exterior paths, stairs and railings
If you haven’t already taken care of exterior maintenance tasks for the winter, now is the time to get them done before winter weather sets in for good. Repair cracks in the paths and stairs as needed. If your railings are loose, secure them properly.
Check the exterior of the home for holes
Significant gaps in the home leave it susceptible to being invaded by a range of critters such as squirrels, rabbits and raccoons. Make sure the house is sealed up tight before winter to minimize the risk of having unwanted visitors. Cover exterior vents with hardware cloth. Patch or replace screen doors and worn out or cracked exterior doors.
Take care of plumbing issues
Plumbers get busy in the winter as homeowners confront issues from the first freeze of the year and families get ready for their holiday guests. Don’t wait until the last minute to schedule an appointment for a constantly running toilet, broken garbage disposal or leaky faucet. Get these tasks on the calendar well in advance.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Before you get a fire roaring in the fireplace and lots of delicious dishes cooking for friends and family, it’s a good idea to test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. While you’re testing the alarms, check their expiration dates.
Stock up on supplies for the winter
When you live in an area with long, snowy winters, stocking up on supplies early in the season will save you stress before the first major storm. Purchase ice melt and if needed, firewood. Check the condition of the ice scrapers and snow shovels, replacing any worn out or broken items. Re-fill your home and car emergency kits.
Boost your home’s curb appeal
Rake up the last of the autumn leaves, clean the gutters and tidy up the porches. Put away any stray lawn furniture, discarding broken and worn out pieces. Hang a wreath on the front door if you haven’t done so already. Inspect the smaller exterior home components, such as the doorbell and mailbox, replacing them as needed. While you’re at it, check the door locks and hinges, lubricating the rusty ones.
Make time for deep cleaning before guests arrive
Set aside a few hours a week before the holiday guests arrive to deep clean high traffic and guest areas of the home. Also, take care of other holiday preparations. Getting these tasks out of the way ahead of time frees up your schedule right before the guests show up for last-minute tasks. At a minimum, vacuum and sweep the entire home, give the bathrooms a full cleaning and straighten up common areas and guest bedrooms.
Don’t get overwhelmed tackling your entire winter home checklist in a single weekend. Prioritize the biggest areas of need for your home, and take care of them earlier in the season. Then make time each weekend to check off a few additional chores. Need help? Check the Bill Parnaby Team App for a comprehensive list of reputable trades and services available right at your fingertips.
