For many families, winter is one of the busiest times of the year. Between holiday travel and traditions at the end of the year and getting back into the swing of work and school after the New Year arrives, some household maintenance invariably tends to get put on the back burner. This can, however, lead to problems, particularly if you live in an area of North Carolina or South Carolina that frequently experiences bad weather. As you read this guide, you will learn about four specific tasks that homeowners often forget during the winter months.
- Dealing with ice dams – Ice dams, which are ridges of ice that form along the edge of a roof and block melting snow from draining, can wreak havoc on even the most perfectly installed roofs. Standing water can cause shingles to warp and weaken, ultimately leading to leaks inside your home. While you certainly can have a professional contractor inspect your home for ice dams, they are usually visible to the naked eye by simply looking at your roofline. If you notice ice dams, however, it’s a good idea to have an expert remove them, so you don’t injure yourself.
- Replacing your furnace filter – Your home’s furnace works overtime during the wintertime, so it’s important to take care of it, so it stays in good working order. The simplest way to maintain your furnace is to replace its filter once per month throughout the cold season in your Carolina region. If you aren’t sure what kind of furnace filter you should buy, don’t hesitate to ask a professional for advice.
- Assessing the state of your sump pump – Sump pumps often take a beating when it is cold outside. They can freeze and crack or experience other problems. At the end of the winter season, before spring rains arrive, have your sump pump inspected to make sure it doesn’t need to be repaired or replaced. This will save you a lot of potential hassle and expense when the weather warms up.
- Making sure your air conditioning is functional – North Carolina and South Carolina get quite hot and muggy during the spring and summer, which means air conditioning is absolutely essential. Whether you use window units or have central air in your house, winter freezes can damage these appliances. Since there are few things worse than trying to turn your air conditioner on the first hot day of the year and finding out it is no longer functional, testing them before spring actually arrives is an excellent idea. This will give you time to schedule any necessary repairs.
We know how hard it can be to motivate yourself to engage in home upkeep when it is cold and miserable outside. Fortunately, that’s where your local heating and air, plumber or handyman comes in. We would also be happy to handle any cold weather renovation jobs you want to have done before warm weather once again arrives!