The last few months of the year bring cooler temperatures, cozy evenings, and the holiday rush. But before you settle in, it’s the perfect time to tackle important seasonal maintenance.

Avoiding these four bad habits will help you protect your home’s cold-weather systems—and save you from costly repairs.

Inside the Home

1. Forgetting Your Furnace Humidifier

Your furnace may get plenty of attention, but the furnace humidifier often gets ignored. This small but important part of your HVAC system helps maintain a comfortable indoor environment and can prevent:

  • Allergies
  • Dry skin
  • Warping of wood around your home

The fix is easy: spend just 30 minutes once a year cleaning and maintaining the humidifier, and you’ll breathe easier all winter.

2. Skipping a Chimney and Gas Fireplace Inspection

Fireplaces and chimneys connect your home’s interior and exterior, and they’re often the heart of winter gatherings. But if your fireplace has been dormant since spring, issues may have developed, such as:

  • Chimney odor from trapped humidity (due to an open damper)
  • Soot and creosote buildup, increasing chimney fire risk
  • Insects entering through damaged or missing chimney caps
  • Cracks in the fireplace or chimney, allowing pests or moisture inside

Solution: Schedule a professional inspection before you light that first fire of the season.

Pro tip: Check your home’s fire safety equipment, emergency exit plan, and valuables storage monthly so your household is ready for any emergency.

Outside the Home

3. Leaving Above-Ground Sprinkler Parts Uncovered

With lawn care season over, it’s time to protect your sprinkler system from winter damage. Once winterized, ensure all above-ground components are covered:

  • Sprinkler valves: Use insulated bag covers or thick plastic bags with foam insulation tape.
  • Exterior pipes: Wrap with insulation or use cut pool noodles (depending on your climate).
  • Main shut-off valves: Secure with valve box lids or covers.

4. Not Cleaning Downspouts When You Clean Gutters

Gutter cleaning might not be fun, but skipping the downspouts can lead to costly problems—like clogs, sagging gutters, or roof leaks.

Here’s how to clear a blockage:

  • Small clog: Tap the sides of the downspout to shake it loose.
  • Medium clog: Remove debris with a gloved hand or garden trowel.
  • Large clog: With someone holding the ladder steady, spray from the top of the downspout with a garden hose on a strong setting.

Follow with a gentle flush of both gutters and downspouts, and your system will be ready for falling leaves and winter precipitation.

The Bottom Line

A little prevention now can save you from major headaches later. Break these bad habits, and you’ll keep your home running smoothly all winter long—leaving you free to focus on the best parts of the season: warmth, family, and comfort.

Click HERE to get your free quote today!