December is a tough month to focus on home maintenance. There’s so much holiday cheer to hang up and drink down that doing routine chores seems like a wet blanket over the Christmas/ Hanukkah/ Kwanzaa/ Festivus spirit. On the other hand, by taking care of home maintenance to-do’s like preventing icy hazards and snow removal, you’ll prevent possible trips to the ER, which would really Grinch-up your holidays.
Check these realtor.com to-do items off your list, then sit back with a few mugs of eggnog and enjoy the rest of the year.
Prevent icy hazards
Task: Take steps to deal with any home issues that could prove dangerous in icy weather. Turn off water to exterior spigots, drain them, and leave them open throughout the winter to minimize chances of frozen, burst pipes. Make sure outdoor stair railings aren’t wobbly, which could cause someone to slip and fall on iced-over steps. Wrap exposed piping in your basement and garage with heat tape, which will keep water flowing freely in cold snaps. Trim overhanging branches that could cause roof damage if they snap under the weight of snow or ice.
Shortcut: If branches aren’t too large or hard to reach, use a pole saw or pruner. Just don’t venture onto the roof to get the job done.
Call in the pros: Tree limb removal costs vary, but it’s usually between $50 and $75.
Snow removal
Task: Clear snow and ice from walkways.
Shortcut: To use a snowblower and avoid constantly having to adjust the chute, start in the middle of the driveway and blow the snow to one side, then make a U-turn and blow the snow to the other side. (Yep, it’s that simple.) Just make sure to fuel and oil up your snowblower now, in case it’s suddenly needed.]
If you’re using a shovel, clear the snow after every 2 or 3 inches of snowfall, which is significantly better for your back, heart, and general disposition than trying to lift a foot or more of snow.
Call in the pros: Hiring a neighborhood kid will probably cost you $25 and a cup of hot chocolate. Hiring a professional will cost $40 to $65, depending on the length of your driveway and the depth of the snow. It’s best to contract with a snow-removal service at the beginning of the snowy season (read: now) and pin down a price. The last thing you want is to beg a plow driver to clear your driveway after a blizzard, when he’s the most in demand.
Prevent ice damming
Task: Prevent ice dams in your gutter and on your roof, which can push water into your home.
Shortcut: If you live in a frigid or snowy climate, you can install heating cables along the edge of your roof to keep snow runoff from freezing. Fifty feet of cable costs about $230.
Call in the pros: A roofing company will install heating cables on your roof for, on average, around $800. If your roof is particularly steep or big, you’ll pay more.
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