Home Sweet Home #14: Winter Home Maintenance

• Drain and store any garden hoses or sprinklers. Make sure to turn off the water supply valve inside your house to prevent bursting pipes. Additionally, insulate pipes in unheated areas of your home.

• Use sand or gravel on walkways for traction. Salt/ice-melt is also effective, but has a narrow operating temperature range and is less environmentally friendly

• Monitor windows and doors for drafts. If cold air is coming in, consider weather strips or vacuum-sealing a window with plastic wrap for a quick fix.

• Monitor your home’s humidity levels. Maintaining the correct humidity can prevent issues with your floors, cabinets, and drywall.