[Infographic] How to Winterize Your Home: Maintenance Tips & Checklist

Buying a home is a major and exciting life decision! But you’ll come to find that once you move in and get settled, the work has just started! While the thought of taking care of your home, especially as the temperatures drop, can seem daunting, it doesn’t have to be. Whether you opt to undertake most projects yourself*, or you are more than happy to leave such work to the professionals, it will serve in your best interest to keep these Home Maintenance Winterization Tips and Checklist handy!

The First Steps to Winterizing Your Home

Beginning to winterize your home shouldn’t be a hurdle. Start with the smaller jobs first and then expand from there. For instance, nearly every winterization checklist will start with a few basic tasks:

• Winterize your sprinkler system
• Disconnect all garden hoses, drain them, and store them.
• Oil, clean, and properly store all lawn implements (lawn mower, trimmer, etc.)  

Now, as we get more in depth with your home’s winterization plan, we know your task list will vary by where you live. Let’s dive in.

Winterizing Your Home Based on Region 

Come October, the steps to take for winterization will differ if you live in a state like Colorado versus Arizona. Luckily, Shea Homes® has you covered. By downloading one of our following home maintenance checklists, you can be confident that you’re properly winterizing your home regardless of where you live. (Click on your region below to view your checklist!)

Winterizing Your Home Is Important Year-Round 

Home maintenance can be easy if you know how to do it.  Think about it like this: a few small fixes today can lead to less large fixes later, especially come winter. To keep your home humming, check out these home maintenance tips you can do yourself:

EVERY WEEK

• Vacuum all carpets regularly.
• Keep hardwood floors free of dirt and dust.
• Check irrigation system and timer to maintain optimum performance.
• Tip downspouts in down position.  

EVERY MONTH 

• Inspect Furnace/Air Conditioning filters for dust. Replace filters as needed.  
• Check the plumbing under kitchen and bathroom cabinets for leaks. Check toilet supply lines for leaks. Check the area around the water heater for leaks.  
• Check faucet aerators for proper flow of water. If the flow is reduced, clean the aerator screens.  

EVERY TWO MONTHS 

• Lubricate hinges and locks on exterior doors if required. Inspect finish for cracks and peeling. Use touch-up paint where required.  

EVERY THREE MONTHS 

• Lubricate hinges on interior doors.  
• Lubricate garage door hardware. Inspect mechanism for free travel.  

EVERY 6 MONTHS 

• Test smoke detectors.  
• Test carbon monoxide detectors.  
• Test and reset GFI outlets.  
• Clean shower door tracks and clear of debris. 
• Repaint front doors if necessary. Consult your Homeowner’s Association regulations before changing the exterior paint color of the doors.  
• Inspect southern and western exposed exterior paint for cracked and peeling paint. Repair and repaint, if necessary.  
• Clean debris from gutters every six months and after storms.  

EVERY 12 MONTHS 

• Check crawl space annually for moisture.  
• Inspect exterior paint for cracked and peeling paint. Repair and repaint, if necessary.  
• Inspect French and exterior wood doors annually. Consult your Homeowner’s Association regulations before changing the exterior paint color of the doors.  
• An annual roof inspection by a roofing professional is recommended.  
• Heat Pump/Furnace/Air Conditioner – we recommend an inspection by a heating/cooling professional every year.  
• Replace smoke detector back-up batteries.  
• Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors – replace backup batteries. 

Don’t let the idea of tackling home maintenance overwhelm you. With this handy checklist, you can break each task down to a step-by-step process that is easy to complete and will have your home in tip-top shape year-round.

A healthy home is a happy home. And a home maintained year-round is the happiest of them all, especially through the winter months.

We at Shea Homes® are here to make each step of the process as smooth as possible. If you are new to the do-it-yourself game, this blog is a handy resource that can keep your home in great shape not only year-round but during the wintertime in any region.  

Bookmark this Home Maintenance Checklist and stay prepared. Sign up for the Shea Homes® newsletter and interest list to stay up-to-date on home news, design and decorating advice, and everything else you need to make your house a home!