The holidays are over, and you’ve been taking a break from home maintenance. That’s cool, but whatever you may be thinking, your home is still aging, and well, things still need to be done. Aside from the obvious—retiring the light-up reindeer and salting your sidewalk to avoid unintentional triple axels—January is perfect for a little pre-spring cleaning and careful inspection of your home. Here are just a few of the items that Safewise says should be on your January home maintenance checklist….
Inspect pipes
Hopefully you’ve already bundled up your water pipes with pipe insulation, but it’s still a good idea to check them for cracks and fractures throughout the winter. Catching a leak before it happens can save you from costly water damage.
Clean filters and vents
If you didn’t change your furnace filter as part of your December Home Maintenance Checklist, now is the time. Clear debris from your dryer vents and other air vents so you can breathe easy.
Check your range hood filter
Now that the busy season is over for your kitchen, it’s a good time to clean your range-hood filter in boiling water and baking soda. This not only rids your filter of ickiness—it helps keep your kitchen air pure. If the grease is too stubborn to clean, opt for a new filter instead.
Clean your cooling coils
Refrigerator coils are dust bunny magnets. Boost your fridge’s energy efficiency by vacuuming the coils regularly.
Inspect house structure
While you’re poking around in your attic and basement, grab a flashlight and inspect exposed beams, foundations, and your chimney for cracks, leaks, mold, and damage from pests.
Add insulation
If your attic insulation is less than 12″ deep, it’s time to contact a professional to add more. Keeping your home well-insulated can lower your energy bills.
Run water in unused spaces
It’s a good idea to flush toilets and run water in unused bathrooms to prevent frozen pipes and hard water stains. Clean your water softener to keep it in good working order.
Check for mold
When it’s chilly outside, we don’t usually use bathroom windows to vent steam, and that can lead to moisture buildup. Check for mold and make sure your bathroom vent fans are working correctly.
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