10 Home Maintenance Tips to Prepare for Winter
∙ min read
As the weather turns colder, it's time for hot cocoa, cozy nights by the fireplace, and fuzzy sweaters. However, if you want to enjoy the cold weather fully, complete your home's winter maintenance checklist and stock up on winter safety products.
Why is winter maintenance so important? During the cold months, your home is vulnerable to damage from ice and snow. Taking the time to prepare for these issues can help you avoid significant financial losses. That's why Max Warehouse has these 10 winter tips for homeowners to welcome winter safely and cozily.
1. Clean Your Chimney
Many fireplace owners love winter because they can finally enjoy the warmth of their fireplace. However, cleaning the chimney before lighting it is necessary, as combustion releases toxins and soot left in the chimney, and these materials can build up and cause a fire.
Maintaining this area in your home for safety and comfort during winter is essential.
If you are looking for a chimney cleaning kit, Gardus Sooteater offers a cleaning system that includes flexible wands with push-button connection fittings to make this task easier. You can also help with the PowerSmith PAVC101 Ash Vacuum, specifically designed to clean warm and cool ash from fireplaces, wood stoves, pellet stoves, and barbecue grills.
2. Check the weather stripping in your home
If you want to stay out of the cold during the winter, you need weather stripping in good condition. This handy accessory is placed along sills and windowsills, creating a perfect seal on doors and windows to prevent air leakage.
Remember that your home's entryways are the primary source of heat loss, so weather stripping can save you money on electrical energy and keep you warm in the winter months. Some of the most recommended are:
- 3M Window insulator Kits: have Scotch Window film mounting tape. Easy to install, 3M window kits have the clearest film and stay up all season long with Scotch tape technology.
M-D Brown Rubber Weatherstrip For Windows: provides a superior seal to block out drafts and dust around doors and windows. It stays durable and flexible in freezing and hot temperatures, down to -40 degrees Fahrenheit and up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Replace the batteries in your smoke detector or smoke alarm
You should check your smoke detectors at least once a year, and you should also check your carbon monoxide detectors if you have them. Proper operation of these devices is essential during the winter, as some heaters can generate carbon monoxide, which is quite toxic.
Two good options for these types of detectors are as follows:
- First Alert Photoelectric Smoke/Fire Detector: equipped with a photoelectric smoke sensor, this 120-volt AC smoke alarm reliably detects smoke produced by smoldering fires and alerts you with a loud 85-decibel alarm. It also features Optipath 360 technology, which allows for more comprehensive detection of smoke, combustion particles, and other fire signatures by providing 360-degree sensor access.
120V AC/DC Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm: easy installation/maintenance, including a large opening in the mounting bracket for easy access to wiring; keyhole slots in the mounting bracket eliminate the need to remove the elect.
4. Clear out your gutters
Gutter cleaning and repair are things you should do sooner rather than later. During the fall, many gutters get cluttered with leaves, twigs, and other debris during the fall. If you don't clean this out before the first winter storm hits, you'll have to deal with frozen waste and heavy gutters, which can lead to all sorts of issues:- Gutters pulling away from the eaves.
- Water puddling on the roof, causing mold and water damage.
- Holes in the roof from the weight of frozen debris.
- Foundation issues from water dripping off the gutter and forming puddles
5. Insulate pipes
To protect your home from water damage, insulate pipes before frost arrives. Insulating pipes with foam insulation prevents the inside temperature from dropping too low and is relatively easy to install.
For example, Frost King's "No Itch" natural cotton insulation doesn't require protective gear and can be used for insulation and cushioning.
Remember that burst pipes can be costly to repair. 
6. Inspect your generator
A generator will come in handy if a storm knocks out your power. If you don't have one, you should look into getting one, and if you're all set on that front, you should give your model a once-over before the cold weather sets in. You don't want to be in the middle of a blackout when you discover your generator isn't working.
Sometimes, all they need is fuel, so make sure you have spill-proof fuel cans that can be poured easily and controlled, such as the No-Spill brand plastic gas can.
7. Stock up on ice melt.
Snow and ice create dangerous driving conditions when they accumulate. So before the first storm, ensure you have enough flux, salt, and sand to treat the roadway. The sand will provide additional traction for your tires, while the flux and salt will reduce ice.
These ice melters can be helpful:
- Safe Step Magnesium Chloride Natural: contains a pet-friendly formula that effectively melts snow and ice while being non-toxic for your pets.
Qik Joe Ice Melter: contains Calcium Chloride, which is quicker and more effective than salt at melting ice. Works in temperatures as low as -25 degrees Fahrenheit!
8. Build your snowed-in kit
Do you have everything you need to deal with an emergency? To ensure you're prepared for anything, you must create a snowed-in kit, which should have the following:
- Extra batteries
- Insulated gloves
- Portable charger
- Basic toolkit
9. Tools needed in winter
Winter requires a different set of tools than fall for your home maintenance; for example, you may need:
It's essential to regularly check the condition of your tools before you need to use them. It would be best to store your summer tools separately from your fall ones. Additionally, ensure that the storage space is free from leaks and pests that could damage your equipment. Always keep your tools out of the reach of children.
10. Invest in a heater
Finally, consider purchasing a space heater; these devices can save you energy costs by allowing you to heat only the room you're in instead of the entire house.
Most heaters are portable, and some are designed for outdoor use, allowing you to enjoy your garden even during the cold months. There are several designs, each with its advantages, for example:
- Perfect Aire Electric Tower Portable Heater: this tower heater provides whole-room comfort and is suitable for tiny spaces.
Mr. Heater Propane Convection Tank Top Heater: is the perfect solution for outdoor heating applications. This heater is constructed with an adjustable 360° burner head that swivels up to 180°
You can find all winter products you need for winter home maintenance at Max Warehouse. We can help you complete your winter home maintenance checklist.
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