Proactive home maintenance is key to preventing damage from harsh winter weather and helps keep your home energy efficient and warm through the season. Fall is a great time to prepare your home for winter weather, but if you didn't get that jump start, not to worry. Thankfully Virginia's winters provide plenty of mild weather days to still take preventitive action.
We’ve compiled a comprehensive checklist to help you safeguard your biggest investment against the common threats of cold weather, such as frozen pipes, ice dams, and heating system failures. This checklist will guide you through the critical steps to ensure your home can endure winter weather.
Neglecting your home during winter in Virginia can lead to significant and expensive problems. Frozen and burst pipes are a major concern. As water turns into ice, it expands and frozen water in pipes puts immense pressure on your plumbing. This can cause widespread water damage and structural issues. Ice dams, which form when melting snow refreezes at the edge of the roof, can also lead to water seeping into your home, damaging ceilings, walls, and insulation.
Regular winter upkeep prevents these issues while preserving your home's value. Proper maintenance extends the lifespan of your home's systems and structures, ensuring they function efficiently and safely through the coldest months.
NNINS has identified key areas that require maintenance for your home’s exterior and interior.
Virginia's winter weather means cold temperatures, snow, and ice, all of which can take a toll on your home's exterior. Preparing your outdoor spaces now can prevent significant damage later.
Keeping your gutters clean and clear is an essential task year-round, but it is especially important in winter to prevent ice dams. Ice dams can cause water to back up under your shingles and leak into your home, damaging your roof, walls, and insulation. There are a few simple steps you can take to keep your gutters clear:
Your roof and chimney are your first line of defense against winter weather. Roof damage and ice damming are common winter issues for homes in Virginia. An annual professional inspection is the best way to check your roof and your attic for ongoing problems. A roof expert will check for:
If you have a fireplace, have the chimney professionally cleaned and inspected to prevent fire hazards.
Strong winds and heavy snow can cause tree branches to break and fall, potentially damaging your home, power lines, or vehicles. To avoid property damage, check your trees and:
While maintaining your yard and outdoor spaces is important to prevent damage from winter weather, the interior systems of your home need equal attention. Ensuring your home heating system is ready for winter helps keep your home comfortable, reduces risk of damage from frozen pipes, and improves your energy efficiency, saving you money on heating bills.
Your heating system is crucial for a comfortable and safe winter. It can be helpful to schedule a professional inspection and routine servicing of your furnace or boiler to make sure there are no issues before the winter freeze. You also want to make sure you replace your furnace's air filter to improve efficiency and air quality.
Looking for more ideas on how to keep your home warm and efficient? Consider upgrading to a programmable or smart thermostat to better manage your energy use and save on heating bills, and take measures to keep your home's air comfortable and healthy.
Air leaks and insufficient insulation are major causes of heat loss in your home which can cause your energy bills to rise. Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal drafts around windows and doors. The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) offers a Weatherization Assistance Program that can help qualified Virginia residents with services like sealing air leaks and adding insulation.
In addition to your windows and doors, you’ll want to insulate any exposed pipes in unheated areas like your basement, attic, or garage to prevent them from freezing and bursting. If you suspect any pipes have frozen, take immediate action to prevent costly water damage.
A routine check of your home safety systems is key to ensuring your safety and giving you peace of mind. As you go through your winter home maintenance checklist, it’s a good time to test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working properly. It’s recommended to replace batteries in these systems twice a year. Also be aware of fire hazards that come with supplemental home heating appliances.
Winter is also a good time to stock up on emergency supplies like flashlights, extra batteries, non-perishable food, and a first-aid kit in case of a power outage. You’ll want to have shovels and ice melt like magnesium chloride or rock salt ready for clearing sidewalks and driveways.
Winter home maintenance protects your biggest investment and ensures your family's comfort and safety. Regular upkeep prevents small issues from becoming expensive problems and maintains your property's value. Don't wait until problems arise. Use our maintenance checklist to make sure your home is ready for the cold season.
As your local insurance partner, NNINS is ready to help safeguard your home. Check out our winter weather survival guide for the best information for home and travel safety during a winter storm in Virginia. As always, consider NNINS today to get a quote for personalized coverage that gives you peace of mind all winter long.
Sources:
https://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/
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