Feeling inspired to start the New Year off fresh? While personal goals usually top the list of resolutions, why not focus on giving your home a fresh start this year too?
January is a great time to get to all the home maintenance projects that have been lingering on your to-do list. In this blog post, we’ve rounded up seven projects to tackle this month to make your home a better place to be.
1. Deep Clean and Declutter: Start the year with a clean slate by deep cleaning and decluttering your home. Focus on one room at a time, purging things you don’t use, organizing what’s left, and cleaning all those areas that get neglected in routine cleaning, like baseboards, ceiling fans, and behind furniture and appliances. Once you cross this project off your list, you’ll be left with a space that looks better and is more comfortable.
2. Have Your Heating System Serviced: If you haven’t already done so, January is the month to schedule a professional inspection for your furnace or heat pump to identify and fix any issues before they turn into costly repairs. While you’re at it, check the filter and replace it if needed.
3. Seal Gaps and Cracks: Inspect windows and doors for drafts that are making your house feel colder. Use weatherstripping or caulk to seal gaps or cracks and create a tighter seal around the door so your home feels more comfortable when the temperatures drop. Watch this video to learn how:
4. Strengthen Home Security: While you’re checking doors and windows for gaps that lead to heat loss, do a quick inspection of locks, deadbolts, and window latches to make sure they’re latching properly. Lubricate locks by spraying a little graphite, Teflon, or dry lubricant on the keyhole, then insert the key without turning it. Remove the key and wipe off any dirt; repeat a few times, then spray some more lubricant into the keyhole and turn the key a few times. Finally, inspect door hinges to make sure they’re tightly secured, as loose hinges can compromise the security of the lock. You may want to consider upgrading to smart locks that let you lock and unlock doors remotely from your smartphone and make it easy to monitor your home while you’re away.
5. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can save your life, but only if they’re working properly. Most units need to be replaced every 10 years. Take the time to check that they’re not expired, then test them to make sure they’re working and replace the batteries if necessary.
6. Maintain Your Water Heater: Your hot water heater works hard all year long, and over time sediment can build up in the tank and reduce its efficiency. Drain the tank to flush out the sediment. Inspect the unit for leaks and check and replace the anode rod if necessary. This post explains how. If your hot water heater is older, you may want to add a Frost King water heater insulation blanket to reduce standby heat losses by 25%–45% and save you about 7%–16% in water heating costs. Watch this video to learn how to install one:
7. Check the Roof for Icicles: Icicles hanging from your roof may look charming but they can be a sign of some serious trouble: they’re caused by ice dams that may damage your home. Ice dams form when warm air from your attic escapes and melts snow high on your roof, causing it to run down and freeze into a ridge at the edge of the roof where it’s colder. This ridge stops melted snow from draining properly and can lead to leaks in your home and damage to your roof, gutters, and downspouts. Our guide to ice dams explains how ice dams form and how adding a Frost King Roof & Gutter De-Icing Kit can stop ice dams and icicles from forming. You can also take steps to stop heated air from rising into your attic, such as sealing air leaks throughout your home, adding more attic insulation, and making sure your attic has adequate ventilation so the temperature in the attic is similar to the outside temperature.
A Home Refresh for the New Year
Now that the busy holiday season is behind us, January is the perfect time to give your home some of the attention it needs. By tackling these home maintenance projects, you’ll not only improve the safety and functionality of your living spaces, but you’ll also make your home a better place to be in 2024.
