Winter Home Maintenance Tips

Yes, even in the Atlanta metro area, where our "winters" are typically very mild, we still need to take care of our biggest investment -- our families and our wallets by following some relatively easy tips on home maintenance and safety.

Home Warranty of America suggests that we need to take care of our heating systems, conserve precious heat, be safe and conduct needed outdoor maintenance too.

Take Care Of Your Heating System
Even though our heating season is relatively short in Atlanta, (I'll probably be back to my air conditioning by the 1st of March); Home Warranty of America says that your heating system runs constantly throughout the cold months so it is important to keep it well-maintained to prevent needed repairs and also keep your system running smoothly.

• Remember to change out your HVAC filter each month.  Replacing HVAC filters is crucial to keeping your air clean.  Filters clean out pollutants such as molds, skin cells and allergens.
• Check the gas connections, gas pressure, burner combustion and heat exchanger to ensure safety and efficiency.  Improper connections are a fire hazard and a dirty burner or cracked heat exchanger causes poor burner operation.

Conserve Precious Heat
Proper insulation of your home is critical to ensure proper heating and conservation of heat to make the most of your heating costs this winter.

• Inspect the insulation in your attic and crawlspaces.  Warm air rises and leaves the house through the roof, so focus your insulation efforts on your ceilings and attics.  Areas around recessed lights, the attic hatch and plumbing vents should be sealed as they commonly are the main issue in allowing warm air to escape your home.
• Storm windows help heat stay in and cold stay out.  If you're on a tight budget and do not already have storm windows, pick up an inexpensive plastic film sheet kit from your local hardware store.  These only last one season, but help with insulation efforts.  Weather-strip all doors that lead to cold or outside areas.
• Close curtains or shades at night and keep them open during the day, especially in rooms that receive a lot of light and sun.  Re-arranging your furniture like couches, chairs, tables and beds away from any exterior walls makes your home seem warmer by putting some distance between you and the cold air.  This also leaves room for the air to move around better, making it warmer in your house.

Be Safe
The cold and snow of winter can create hazardous conditions.  Take a moment to plan ahead and prepare your home and family for the worst of what winter can bring.

•  Last year those of us living in the Atlanta metro area actually had a few days in January when we were snowed in.  Many of us needed salt, but had none.  It's a good idea to anticipate that this conceivably could happen again.  Stock up on sidewalk salt (for better traction) and apply generously to all walkways and driveways at the first sign of slick conditions. 
• Most southerners don't have snow shovels.  I left mine back in Boston, when I relocated here in February 1994.  However, its always good to have a shovel at the ready in case it's needed.  And, make sure, if we get some of the white stuff, that when you're shoveling, when you lift a shovel-full of snow, pick up small amounts and lift with your legs, not your back.  Do not toss snow over your shoulder or off to the side. 

Outdoor Maintenance
Outdoor home care does not end when winter comes.  Even in the cold weather months, your yard still needs maintenance to keep your home safe.

•   Make sure tree and shrub branches are well away from the house and windows.  Ice can cause branches to break and damage your home.
• Walk around the outside of the house often and do a scan.  Check the foundation for small cracks or openings where mice or other pests could take up residence.  Seal up any possible entrances to keep these critters out.  While outside, clear any snow accumulation off gas meters and away from basement windows and your dryer exhaust vents.

And, finally, thank your lucky stars that you live in the south.  As bad as it gets up north, we are lucky that if the weather does take a turn for the worst here, we can be thankful that any bad winter weather is very short lived in the Atlanta metro area and sunny south.  You Northerner's....c'mon down.  You're gonna love winter in the south!

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the Atlanta metro area and looks forward to answering your many questions regarding the Atlanta metro real estate market in general or specifics regarding the relocation / buying / selling process.   Sara is easily reached at 404-660-2481 or via e-mail at: Sara@SaraHibbard.com.  Visit Sara's websites located at www.SaraHibbard.com, www.SaraHibbardRealEstate.com, www.SearchWoodstockHomes.com, www.AtlantaMLSHomes.com.  Sara is also active on Facebook and You Tube at www.Facebook.com/GeorgiaRealEstateOnMyMind.com and www.YouTube.com/GeorgiaRealEstate1.