If you recently moved into a new home, you may be excited to enjoy the changing seasons in a whole new way. Watching snowflakes fall on your lawn and snuggling up by the fire – these wintry activities bring so much joy. As winter approaches, however, it is important to stay up-to-date on your home maintenance. Completing important home maintenance tasks will keep your home in good shape all winter long. Our real estate agents recommend new homeowners check out these winter home maintenance tips.

• Winterize Your Plumbing
  Having pipes freeze in the winter is dangerous because they could burst and flood your home. Luckily, winterizing your plumbing is pretty simple.
  
  Turn off the valve associated with your outdoor hose bib. Then, open the spigot to drain the bib. 
  
  Next, head into the basement and check for any pipes that run directly along your interior walls. If these pipes are not already insulated, purchase some insulating sleeves from your hardware store and slip them onto the pipes. This makes them less likely to freeze.
  
  
• Have Your Chimney Cleaned
  Chimneys can accumulate creosote, a sticky, black substance that is flammable. Creosote forms when you burn green wood or when you don't burn wood hot enough. Since you probably don't know how the old owner used their fireplace, it's best to have it cleaned and inspected before lighting your first winter fire.
  
  
• Replace Damaged Weatherstripping
  Weatherstripping is the plastic or rubbery material that surrounds windows and doors. It sometimes rips or becomes stretched out as it ages. Then, it can allow air to leak in, leading to drafts and chills. 
  
  Before winter arrives, check your windows and doors for damaged weatherstripping. If you do find damage, you can pretty easily pull off the old, damaged weatherstripping and replace it with new strips from the hardware store. You'll just have to undo a few screws.
  
  
• Clean Your Gutters
  Snow on your roof will melt and trickle into your gutters. It is important for them to be clear so they can effectively direct water away from your home. If you're comfortable on a step ladder, climb up and remove debris from your gutters before winter. Just put on a glove, and scoop the gunk out with your hands. If you're not comfortable on a ladder, hire a gutter cleaning company to do this for you.
  
  
• Check Attic Insulation
  Most homes should have two layers of fiberglass insulation in the attic. Not only does this keep your home warm, but it also protects your roof. Without adequate insulation, snow near the peak melts trickles down and forms ice dams along the edge of your roof.
  
  If your attic only has one layer of insulation, add a second one. Purchase fiberglass batts, and unroll them perpendicular to the first layer of insulation. Make sure you don't block any of the vents; they're important for keeping your roof cool, too.
  
  
• Change Your Air Filter
  To get your HVAC system ready for winter, replace your air filter. A new filter will effectively trap dust and debris once you turn your furnace on. Keep a stack of spare filters handy, so you can change it every month to two months in the winter.

If you take good care of your home heading into winter, then it will take good care of you. Are you still looking at Belleville homes for sale? Contact us and our team will assist you with your search.