When the weather is cold and snowy, it’s easy to spend our days dreaming of the warmer days of spring and all the home projects we want to do. But home maintenance doesn’t hibernate just because it’s winter. If you’re eager to keep your home in tip top shape, then this winter home maintenance list is for you.

While some of this list should really be done before winter truly begins, don’t stress if you’re realizing it’s February and you haven’t tackled any of these winter home projects.There’s still plenty of time to get them crossed off your to-do list.

If you’re ready to jump into maintenance mode – and have your home in great shape by the time spring rolls around – then keep reading for the best projects to add to your winter home maintenance list.

A Simple Winter Home Maintenance List

Maintain your heating system

This is one of those tasks that should really happen in the fall, but if you haven’t had your heating system serviced since last year then there’s still time to get it done. Whether you use oil, gas or electric heat, it’s important to have a professional clean, service and inspect your system before each winter season.

Get the fireplace and chimney cleaned

This is another early winter home project that’s still worth adding to your winter home maintenance list (even if it’s February). If you’re using a fireplace to keep your home cozy and warm, then it’s important to have your fireplace and chimney cleaned and inspected every winter. A dirty flue or cracked chimney could cause major problems and even a house fire, so it’s not something to skip.

Check the batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors 

Remember how we were just talking about fires? House fires tend to become more common in the colder months thanks to all of the various heating mechanisms used within our homes. It’s important to check that all your smoke detectors are working to keep your family safe. And don’t forget about carbon monoxide detectors, too. These are an important safety measure to add to your winter home maintenance list.

Prevent frozen pipes

This winter maintenance tip is especially important for a vacation home that may not be used during the winter months. But frozen pipes can still happen even if you’re living somewhere full time. Be sure to disconnect your garden hose from the outside faucet, keep pipes insulated (especially those along the outer walls of your home), and set the heat to no lower than 55 degrees.

Prepare your property for winter storms

Whether we like it or not, winter storms come – and bring lots of snow and ice with them. Make sure your property is ready for wind and snow by trimming tree branches away from your house, putting all patio furniture away, cleaning your gutters and making sure there is no loose debris that could take flight during heavy winds.

Prevent ice dams

There’s almost no homeowner headache worse than water damage. If you don’t want to add a major home repair to your winter home maintenance list, then you’re going to want to make sure you stay on top of preventing ice dams on your roof. Make sure your gutters remain clear throughout the winter, clear snow from your roof and consider heating lines along the edge of your roof if you tend to have snow and ice build up.

Check regularly on outdoor security cameras for snow & ice build up

There’s no point in having outdoor security cameras if they’re covered in snow and ice. Check your cameras regularly – particularly after big storms – to ensure they are not blocked with snow and ice. If you won’t be home, consider investing in house watching services to ensure your home is checked on regularly when you can’t be there.

Organize storage areas

If you’re stuck inside due to cold and snow, you might as well make good use of the time indoors. A simple task you can add to your winter home maintenance list? Organizing storage areas. Take some time to go through old boxes and determine what you truly want to keep and what you can do away with. Then consolidate and reorganize to free up space.

Prepare for power outage

While we never want to experience a power outage, they do happen. And if you’re not prepared, then you could be in for a rough few days (or longer!). One of the best winter home projects you can spend time on is to create a power outage kit or winter survival kit. Add blankets, a radio, portable phone battery, candles, flashlights and non-perishable foods. 

Dream big for spring projects

While it may be too cold to do a lot of bigger home projects, now is the perfect time to plan. Whether you’ve been dreaming about a big patio, a new swimming pool or a water feature for your yard, you can spend the winter creating a project budget, sourcing materials and communicating with contractors. This way, when spring has finally sprung, you can hit the ground running on your next big project.

Need Help Tackling Your Winter Home Maintenance List?

If your winter home projects feel a little overwhelming – or you’d just rather spend your winter skiing, snowshoeing or relaxing with some cocoa in front of a roaring fire, then it may be time to call the professionals.

If you’re spending your winter in The Hamptons – or need help maintaining a Hamptons vacation home over the colder months – then A Votre Service can help. From house cleaning and property management to house watching and handyman services, A Votre Services can help you tackle your winter home maintenance list.

Contact A Votre Service today to learn more about our home maintenance services and to get started on tackling your winter home projects.