Seasonal Tasks: Winter

Winter: The "Stay Cozy and Vigilant" Season

Ice Dam Watch (ongoing) After snow, look at your roof edge. Icicles are pretty but ice dams are not. If you see ice building up, it means warm air is escaping through your roof. This damages shingles and can cause leaks.

Solution: Better attic insulation and ventilation (that's a pro job for spring).

Sump Pump Test (15 minutes) If you have a sump pump, test it every few months in winter. Pour a bucket of water into the pit. The pump should turn on and pump the water out. If it doesn't, replace it before spring thaw.

Fan Direction Flip (5 minutes) Your ceiling fans have a direction switch. In winter, run them clockwise on low speed. This pushes warm air down from the ceiling. It's a free way to feel warmer without turning up the heat.

Pipe Insulation Check (10 minutes) Look at pipes in unheated areas—basement, crawl space, garage. They should have foam insulation on them. If not, add some. Frozen pipes burst, and that's a disaster you don't want to deal with in February.

Making This Schedule Work for YOU

Print and Post Make a simple checklist and stick it on your fridge. Check off tasks as you do them. It's satisfying and keeps you on track.

Set Phone Reminders First of every month: "Home check-in day!" Beginning of each season: "Seasonal maintenance time!"

Get a Buddy Do monthly checks with a neighbor or friend. Make it a coffee date. You'll actually do it if someone's expecting you.

Keep a Log A simple notebook works. Write down what you checked and what you found. This helps you spot patterns and remember what needs attention.

What If You Miss a Month?

The maintenance police will not arrest you. Just do it when you remember. The goal is consistency over time, not perfection every single month.