We all know someone that lives in a colder climate, and we’ve heard the stories about frozen water pipes and snow damaged roofs. Luckily, we Lamorinda residents generally don’t have to contend with these types of issues, but it’s still a good idea to annually take stock of your home and tend to any items that might hinder its efficiency. January is a great time to tackle some of these tasks:
General Clean-up and De-Clutter: Put away the holiday décor and gifts, while also gathering items you no longer need or want that can be donated to organizations such as Wayside Inn or Goodwill. Think ‘less is more;’ a tidy home is an efficient home.
Kitchen Clear Out: Rid your kitchen of all expired items and keep a list of what needs replacing. Spices are often expiration culprits. Check the cabinets and the refrigerator too!
Create a Home Inventory: Make a record of your home’s furnishings and valuables via video or photos and keep the record in a secure place. It will come in handy for insurance purposes if any of the items are ever damaged or lost.
Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Replace batteries as needed.
Ceiling Fan Reversal: Did you know that your ceiling fan should have a switch that makes it run clockwise? Clockwise air flow pushes heated air down making heating your home more efficient.
Clean Gutters: Make sure your roof gutters are free of debris. Clogged gutters can cause pooling water which can damage your roof or siding. Check also for rotted areas where water can leak.
Trim trees: Call an arborist for an expert opinion on your trees and their root systems. Heavy winds and rains wreak havoc on trees and can cause them (or limbs) to fall and damage your property.
Paint Touch Up: Exterior house paint isn’t just about aesthetics. It also protects against moisture intrusion by sealing the wood. Touch up any areas that look deteriorated; if the paint is in generally poor condition, schedule a professional repainting job for the Spring.
Finally, take care of yourself. Use these shorter and darker winter days to cuddle up and relax with a good book or plan out a home project for the summer months. Just as our homes require regular maintenance, so do we.
Here’s to a happy and healthy new year!
If you have any questions about home maintenance and repair, please call us. We’ll direct you to experts who can help: see our list of recommended vendors here.