Winter home maintenance tips

2012-12-26 00:47:03

As the thermometer continues its decline, there are several things homeowners can do to prepare their homes for the cold and minimize any problems.

Here are a few winter home maintenance tips, recommended by licensed home inspectors.


1. Check and clean your gutters/down spouts. Back ups in your gutters can cause water damage to the fascia boards, soffits, roof decking, and even walls.

2. Check your roof for debris and obstructions. Leaves/debris in roof valleys can cause water to back up and leaking to occur.


1. Check for any new water stains to the roof framing. Look carefully around the chimney and roof penetrations for staining. Many times, you can catch a leak before it causes any damage by regularly inspecting your attic.

2. If you have one installed, cover or insulate your whole house fan. This will minimize heat escaping through the vented area.


1. Check for fallen or missing floor insulation. Replace any fallen/missing insulation to minimize loss of heat.

2. Check for signs of water intrusion inside the crawl space (from outside rain or plumbing pipes). Water intrusion can lead to costly repairs and increase damage if not corrected. If you see water or water stains, you may want to have a further inspection completed by a qualified licensed contractor.

3. Inspect your duct work for loose connections, leaks, and missing insulation. This will help save on energy loss.


1. Turn on your heat and test it before you need it. The heater may have been shut down for several months, so just because it was working last winter, does not mean it will be still working this winter.

2. If your heating unit has not been serviced in a while, have the unit serviced by a quailed licensed professional. This can help your unit run more efficiently and prevent possible issues.


1. Have a qualified professional chimney sweep insect and clean your fireplace and chimney before use. Birds, squirrels and other critters, are famous for building nests and adding debris to chimneys. When chimneys are not checked for obstructions, homes can catch on fire.

In addition, as a real estate agent, I've had several transactions in the last few years where the homes had chimneys that were found to be defective and had cracks. The company that had manufactured them worked with many builders in Orange County and is now out of business. Again, if you've never had your chimney inspected now may be a good time.

2. Check for limbs above the chimney. This is a fire hazard. Trim back any limbs near the top of the chimney.

3. Turn on and test your gas line. If it has not been turned on for a while, the gas line may have air in it and might need bleeding out. Regardless of the type of fireplace owned (wood burning, gas, freestanding, etc.), it is a good idea to have it inspected periodically. Also, the Gas Company offers free annual inspections for any gas-related appliance and can make minor adjustments or advise if the appliance needs to have further inspection.


1. Check both your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at each location. Change the battery or the detector as needed.

2. The current code in California requires both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in every home. The detectors are recommended to be installed near each sleeping area and on each floor of the home.

Preventative maintenance can reduce your home's consumption of energy, extend life expectancy of the major components, and lower your cost for repairs.

Cathy Haney is a real estate broker who grew up in and now lives and works in Irvine. She can be reached at or 949-679-1101.

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