Welcome to homeownership! You’ve crossed a major milestone, and now the keys are in your hand. As you settle in and make your new house feel like home, remember that regular maintenance is an important part of keeping it in great shape. With the holiday season around the corner, here are three key things to watch for so you can stress less about home issues and focus on enjoying the magic of the holidays in your new space.
Humidity
During the winter, you’ll want to keep an eye on the humidity in your home. If the air inside is too humid, warm moisture can collect on cold windows, leading to condensation and ice. Over time, this can damage your window casings, paint, and baseboards. To prevent this, watch the humidity level on your thermostat and lower it as temperatures drop outside. Wipe away any moisture on sills, leave blinds up a few inches to allow airflow, and always run your kitchen and bathroom fans during and after cooking or showering to prevent condensation.
Furnaces
Your furnace is the heart of your home during winter, and there’s nothing worse than an unexpected furnace issue during a snowstorm! If it stops working, stay calm and start with the basics: make sure the breaker in your electrical panel and the furnace service switch in the basement are both turned on. Then, check your furnace filter, and replace it if it’s dirty to restore airflow. Inspect exterior exhaust intake vents for blockages or ice buildup and clear them if needed. For extra support, review your furnace manual and look for LED lights that flash codes to help you troubleshoot your issue. A little attention now can prevent chilly surprises later!
Exterior Hose Bibs
You won’t be needing your outdoor hose once the snow rolls in, so take the time to winterize your exterior hose bibs to prevent costly pipe damage. Start by locating the shut-off valve inside your home and turn it off. If you have both hot and cold bibs, each will have its own valve. Outside, disconnect your hose, drain any remaining water, and store it in a heated space like your basement or shed. Then, open the hose bib to let excess water drain and leave it open through winter. Finally, loosen the bleeder valve inside to release any trapped water, then tighten it again. These steps help protect your plumbing and avoid unpleasant surprises when spring arrives.
Your first home is a big investment, and the Baywest Construction and Warranty Teams are here to help you protect it. For more information, check out our preventative maintenance video library!