Here’s a quick and handy checklist courtesy of the Minnesota Homeownership Center to make sure your home is running at its best these winter months.

 

INTERIOR

 

• Check ceilings at exterior edge and window for water damage or ice buildup.

• Inspect exposed wiring, cables and plugs for damage and wear. Replace at first sign of damage.

• Test ground fault circuit interrupter outlets in the kitchen, bathroom and basement. Test by pushing the “T” and then reset by pushing “R.”

• Occasionally flush water down seldom-used showers and sinks.

• If you go on vacation, have someone check on your home and make sure the heat is working.  If a house gets too cold the pipes could freeze and burst.

• Replace the furnace filter monthly.

 

EXTERIOR

 

• Shovel sidewalks and driveway before foot and car traffic make it difficult to remove.

• Avoid using salt on sidewalks and driveways to melt ice as this corrodes the concrete. Use sand as an alternative.

• Watch for “ice dams” that build up near the edge of the roof. Ice dams are caused by warm air leaking into the attic and can cause melting snow to enter under the roof shingles and drip into the attic. This can ruin insulation and damage the roof. Caution, removing ice dams can also damage the roof. Reducing heat loss with insulation is the best way to prevent ice dams.

 

Got any others tips for winter home maintenance? Leave them in the comments below.