Caring for your home – especially a brand new home that you hope to keep in tip-top shape for years to come – is important. In the Northwest, where winters can be harsh, knowing and performing some basic winter maintenance musts is critical to the health of your home. Fortunately, winter maintenance is pretty straightforward.
Here are 8 tips to help prepare your new home for winter, to ensure you are keeping your dream home looking great.

Outdoor Maintenance Takes Priority

1. Blow out your sprinkler lines, which will keep them from freezing when temperatures drop;
2. Clean up and cover outdoor appliances and tools, such as hoses (which should be stored and drained);
3. Remove leaves from gutters and drains – if leaves are left in gutters and drains over the winter, they can lead to clogs and other damage;
4. Keep an eye out for snow and ice buildup on your roof and around your home – any unusual buildup or runoff should be dealt with swiftly.

Prepping the Inside of Your Home

1. Leave your heat on when you’re out of town to prevent freezing of pipes. Our recommendation is to keep your heat at a minimum of 65 degrees Fahrenheit, while you are away. On especially cold nights, some homeowners will open up cabinets around water pipes to help prevent them from freezing when they are out of town.
2. Ensure your water heater and HVAC system are in good working order (fortunately, if you’ve purchased a new home, this shouldn’t be an issue for years to come)
3. Check the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and change them if needed; and
4. Commit to changing air filters at least once every three months, and more if you have pets or anyone in the home with allergies.

Keep Your New Home Looking Great