Tips for maintaining your home during the winter

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - As we move deeper into the winter months, cold temperatures and snow can have a major impact on your home. It’s important to stay on top of several maintenance items in order to keep it in the best shape.

Brian Shabino, owner of National Property Inspections, said it’s important to move snow in a timely manner. This goes beyond just clearing your driveway and remembering to clear sidewalks, fire hydrants and even your decks.

“The moisture can deteriorate the wood as well as the siding on your house,” Shabino said.

Cleaning your gutters is a year-round task that often gets overlooked. In the fall it’s important to ensure that you have cleared all the leaves out of your gutters before snow begins to pile on top.

“We go through freeze and thaw cycles. You want the water to be able to flow freely off your roof through your downspouts and away from your foundation,” Shabino said.

For the interior of your house it’s crucial to do all you can to extend the life of your furnace. Shabino says this includes having a professional check it on a regular schedule as well as keeping an eye on your furnace filter.

Other things to keep in mind are keeping the venting on your gas fireplace clear of obstructions, cleaning out your dryer vent and taking your hoses off the spouts.

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