Winter can be a time of celebration, joy, and a time to be with family and those closest to you. However, that winter wonderland outside can also come with quite a few problems for you and your home. How do you avoid excess damage when the temperatures drop and flurries begin to fall?
Take proper measures to ensure your home stays safe and cozy this chilly season. The last thing you need is damages to the house that can affect your health and your wallet, so don’t skip out on those winter home inspections!
Inspecting Your Furnace
When freezing temperatures start settling in, it’s crucial to keep your furnace in good shape to stay warm and avoid getting sick. Scheduling an appointment with a home inspection provider will ensure your home won’t fall prone to those cold temperatures. Ensuring it’s running efficiently, providing adequate warmth, and not damaged in any way.
Cleaning Out The Ductwork
There are some parts of the home that many homeowners don’t think about until it becomes a problem. Ensuring your ductwork is completely cleared out and cleaned with a thorough winter inspection is very important for your and your family’s health. Leaks and blockages are a significant concern for any ductwork in homes for the winter.
Piping Insulation
Many homes with garages or basements have exposed piping, which is typically not an issue most of the year. However, it’s essential to have winter inspections done on those pipes when they begin to drop into freezing temperatures. These inspections will ensure those pipes do not freeze and are adequately insulated to prevent long-term damage.
Window And Door Insulation
Do you ever notice during the winter that your home seems draftier than normal? Your doors and windows may need replacement weatherstripping, and you could not even know it! Sometimes winter home inspections look for even the smallest details like these, ensuring comfortability in the winter.
Proper Roof Protection
Of course, your home’s roof is one of the major concerns for property damage in the winter. A thorough inspection of your roof to ensure all shingles are in place and none are damaged is a great way to start the season! If you have concerns once winter starts rolling around, talk to your local inspectors to see how they can help you before the weather worsens and you’re left with a damaged or leaky roof!
Inspecting The Fireplace And Chimney
Nothing quite beats getting cozy in front of a warm fire when it’s snowing outside – but what happens if your fireplace/chimney isn’t working efficiently? One prominent element of winter home inspections is ensuring there are no leaks or damages to the vent stacks. Checking the flashing around chimneys will help you avoid chimney (and potentially roof) damage once the snow melts and spring is here.
Checking Your Electric
Electricity can be a lifesaver during the coldest months of the year, but it can also be dangerous if the wiring is faulty or is not running appropriately. All electrical connections should be checked for potential hazards to you or your family. Additionally, your circuit breaker should be easily accessible and functioning properly.
Checking Up On Gas Appliances
Another hazardous area of your home is any gas appliances that are broken or working incorrectly. Thorough winter inspections will check for any issues with your gas, furnace, fireplace, or other appliances you use most often during this time of the year. If not taken seriously, gas leaks and improper ventilation can be the quickest way to endanger yourself and your family!
Trusting The Professional Winter Home Inspections
You’d like to enjoy your winter in peace, without fearing the unexpected – we can grant you that peace of mind easily! If you’re second-guessing the comfortability and safety of your home, or you simply want to know if your home is well cared for, the Detail View Home Inspection crew is the way to go. We want your winter to be magical and memorable, but only in the jolliest of ways!
