Home Maintenance Checklist Iowa Winter Edition
Iowa winters are long and cold!
It’s up to you to ensure that your home is fully ready to shelter you and your family from the elements.
Seasonal maintenance, along with simple maintenance practices, is an important part of being a responsible homeowner. Whether it is cleaning out debris from your gutters to prevent an ice dam from causing water damage, ensuring your pipes have proper insulation to prevent them from bursting, or adding some traction to outdoor steps to prevent slips and falls, preparing your home now can prevent many costly repairs in the future. Here are a few general rules to follow to avoid costly winter repairs and injuries:
Insulate
The cold temperatures of Iowa winters are your number one concern as a homeowner. Your best defense against these cold temperatures is a well-insulated home.
Areas to Focus on:
Doors
Windows
Garages
Attics
Water pipes
Outdoor Faucets
Frozen pipes can burst causing leaks and leading to expensive and inconvenient repairs. A water leak from a frozen pipe is a costly repair.
To avoid this, it is important to have well-insulated pipes throughout your home. While most homes in Iowa are built with well-insulated pipes, over time, the insulation’s effectiveness can fade leading to an unpleasant surprise on a cold winter night. Having your pipe’s insulation inspected and refreshed is one way to stay ahead of the problem.
Another part of ensuring your home is properly insulated is checking on the areas of the house that are most important for keeping the heat in your exterior doors, windows, and attic. Hot air rises so regularly checking and refreshing your attic insulation is critical. Doors and windows are also key conduits that allow warm air to escape your home. Replacing weatherstripping and caulking is a good way to close off any drafts and keep your home warm, and your energy bill low.
Be Prepared
Winter weather and freezing temperatures can put a lot of stress on your home. Cold weather, high winds, and heavy snow and ice tend to wreak havoc in Iowa through the winter months. One way you can prepare for these storms is to install storm windows.
Storm Windows
If your home has older single-pane glass windows or windows with wooden frames, storm windows are a great option. Storm windows fit into the interior or exterior frames of an existing window to provide an additional barrier against bad weather, wind, and drafts. They can also increase the energy efficiency of your home while blocking out street noise and UV rays.
Tree Trimming
Another way you can prepare for winter storms is by trimming back hazardous tree branches. When these branches are loaded with additional weight from snow or ice they can become a danger. A falling branch can seriously damage a home, car, or person if they are caught below it. Trimming these branches back early is a good way to make sure that you are ready for the next winter storm that rolls through Iowa. It is also a great way to keep your family safe.
Mitigate Hazards
Another way to keep your family safe is to mitigate slipping hazards. Homeowners often overlook the risk that a slippery set of stairs can have during the winter. With just a little bit of snow or ice, steps can become dangerous, especially for guests, elderly people, or children. In addition to regularly clearing walkways and applying salt or snowmelt, homeowners can consider adding a railing if one is not already present and/or adding traction to stairs with a traction device or additional grit in the concrete itself. Taking these preventative steps can help avoid injuries and the liability that comes with them. You can rest assured when you take all the necessary steps to keep your family safe during the Iowa winter.
Energy Efficiency
Another important thing for homeowners to consider is the energy efficiency of their homes.
With energy costs up, investments in improving your home’s energy efficiency are more important than ever. While these improvements may require an upfront investment, the improved energy efficiency of your home means lower energy bills which help cover those costs over time.
Ways to Improve Your Home's Energy Efficiency
Installing energy-efficient appliances
Regularly servicing your HVAC system by clearing air ducts and filters (furnace filter, dryer vent, etc.)
Refreshing or improving your home’s insulation
Installing an energy-efficient smart thermostat
Replacing failing weather seals around doors and windows to seal cracks
Installing double or triple-pane windows
Installing storm windows
Regular Maintenance Now Can Prevent Costly Home Repairs Later!
While some folks might want to put off home maintenance tasks until the weather improves, acting sooner than later will make the most of your improvements. Simple maintenance tasks like checking the batteries on your carbon monoxide or smoke alarm/smoke detector, or making sure your fire extinguisher hasn't expired is one way to take care of your home, but likely is not enough.
If you’re looking to get these types of projects done while staying out of the cold, one step to consider is hiring a local certified contractor to do them for you. While many large contractors only take on large projects like full kitchen remodels or landscaping makeovers, some local small businesses like HnS Remodel are able and willing to take on all big and small projects. Another great thing is that, unlike some contractors who convert their business to snow removal in the winter, HnS Remodel is available any time of the year.
HnS Remodel is Available For Your Home Maintenance Needs in Iowa Year-Round!
Give Them a Call Today & Schedule:
Cleaning out clogged gutters and your downspout
Changing HVAC filters
Clearing dryer vents
Installing an energy-efficient smart thermostat
Sealing outlets
Insulating pipes
Sealing your deck
Adding railings to stairs to prevent slips and falls
Insulating attics
Weatherproofing windows and doors (weather stripping & caulking)
Trimming back trees and bushes
Installing storm windows
Adding traction to slippery steps
Installing hose bibs
Replacing aging siding
Recaulking windows and doors
Installing Interior plastic
Winterizing gardens
Draining fuel from small gas-powered engines
Cutting back tree branches
Sealing drafty windows or doors
What About Home Remodeling?
Winter is also a great time to plan your next home remodel, in the Des Moines area. If you feel like you're living in an old house when you want to be living in a custom home, or if it feels like your living space needs a little work done to refresh it, it might be time to consider a home renovation.
Popular Remodeling Ideas
Bathroom Remodeling
Kitchen Remodeling
Deck or Porch Construction
Roofing Replacement
Landscaping Around Your home
A Room Addition
Adding an accessory dwelling unit ($$)
HnS does more than just maintenance though, they also are a home improvement contractor who can help you with everything a home design, renovation, or remodel. HnS is your one-stop remodeling company in Des Moines, Iowa that can handle everything about the remodeling process from planning to purchasing sustainable materials to construction to acting as your project manager.
So, whether you are looking to complete a bathroom remodel, install new cabinets, redesign your basement, or add a deck/porch to make your house feel like a custom home, HnS can be the licensed contractor you need. If you are in the West Des Moines, or the greater Des Moines area give HnS a call today!
