As daylight wanes and the temperature drops, it’s time to tackle the home maintenance list you might 
have put off! Central Ohio winters can be rough, but diligent maintenance can help your home stand up against the elements. Here’s a handy checklist to help you get started!
Exterior home areas, top-to-bottom:
- Seal gaps around the house. Check caulking around pipes, ducts, faucets.
- Replace damaged weather-stripping around windows and doors.
- Check your roof for missing shingles – repairs in fall beat repairs in winter!
- Clear roof vents of any obstructions, such as bird nests or debris.
- Inspect and clean gutters and downspouts, after all leaves have fallen.
- Clean soffit vents.
- Disconnect garden hoses.
- Drain exterior faucets and close water lines as needed.
- Lawn sprinkler systems should be drained and cleaned with compressed air.
- Clean exhaust dampers for the clothes dryer, bathrooms and kitchen.
- Trim back shrubs and trees; remove any dead branches.
- Check your walkway for cracks, loose steps and uneven pavement; repair as needed.
- Seal coat your asphalt driveway.
- Think about your snow-clearing path. Remove lawn decorations or other nearby obstructions that could become hidden by snow.
Interior home areas:
- Get a furnace tune-up.
- If you have a digital thermostat, replace the batteries; don’t wait for a surprise later.
- Clean or replace the furnace filter; check it every 3 months.
- Check windows and exterior doorways for drafts; apply weather-stripping as needed.
- If you have a wood-burning fireplace, have the flues professionally cleaned.
- Clean the dust out of the bottom of any gas fireplace inserts.
- If you have an adjustable fireplace damper, make sure there is a damper stop installed to prevent it from completely closing.
Home safety:
- Smoke alarms should be located in each bedroom, and in a common area on each level.
- CO alarms should be located within 10 feet of every sleeping room.
- Replace the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms; then test them.
- Smoke alarms have a 10-year functional life; CO alarms are generally reliable for 5 to 10 years. Buy new alarms if your current devices exceed these ages – or if you’re not certain how old they are.
Earlier this year, we published important blogs about home safety. Please see our educational posts about preventing carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke alarm facts. We ask that you share these articles with your friends and family; the information could save a life!
We hope this information is helpful to you! As your Exclusive Buyer’s Broker, we serve your best interests at all times! Unlike real estate agents and brokerages who represent sellers, as an Exclusive Buyer’s Broker, we only represent you, the buyer, getting you the best price and terms with no conflict of interest at all times.
Understanding this distinction could literally save you thousands of dollars not only on the purchase price and terms, but also on seller concessions and home inspection issues, whether you are a first-time homebuyer or an experienced homeowner!
Contact us with your home buying questions! Remember, we are with you every step of the way…all the way home!
Andrew Show
Broker, CEBA, CEBA-M, CNE, CSP, ABR-M, e-PRO, GREEN
Buyer’s Resource Realty Services
Serving Metro Columbus, Ohio with Exclusive Buyer’s Agents
7100 North High Street, Suite 204, Worthington, Ohio 43085
614-888-4110 | 888-888-4110 Toll Free | 614-839-4110 Fax
