Inspect plumbing

Continue to check plumbing for possible freezing especially on exterior walls. For pipes at risk, let water drip from the faucet and keep cupboard doors open to keep pipes warm. If pipes feel very cold and the faucet has no water or a slow trickle then freezing is imminent.

Boost warmth

Close heat vents in unused rooms and shut the door. Use door sweeps and draft stoppers to block cold air from flowing room to room. Keep warm air circulating by moving furniture away from heat vents. Close the chimney flue when your fireplace is not in use.

Clean dryer vent

Inspect your dryer vent inside and outside. A clear vent will keep your dryer working efficiently and can prevent a possible fire. Make sure the exterior vent isn’t blocked by snow or debris. Check the outside air flow. If not much air is being vented, you may have a blockage.

Check interior caulking

Inspect the caulking around showers, bathtubs and sinks and replace if necessary. Look for the presence of mould and caulking that is cracking, peeling or missing. Fix by carefully removing all the old caulking, clean the surface, then recaulk.

Replace furnace filter

If your furnace requires a new filter every month, now is the time to change it. It’s important to keep your furnace running efficiently this time of year. If you are unsure how often to change the filter on your furnace, consult the manufacturer’s manual.

Clean light fixtures

Keep your rooms brightly lit by doing an annual clean of wall and ceiling light fixtures. Remove the glass parts and wash in soap and water. With the light turned off, wipe down the rest of the fixture with a damp cloth. Don’t forget to clean dust from the light bulbs.

Organize medicine cabinet

Keep your medicine cabinet organized and well stocked for sickness and minor injuries. Discard old prescriptions, creams and ointments. Store similar items together, like pain killers and bandages. You should be able to find what you need quickly.

Declutter paperwork

Gather all the paperwork that has accumulated throughout the house into one spot. Go through it and discard, recycle or shred anything not needed. File only the important papers. Start compiling your tax information for the upcoming tax deadline.

Inspect house

Inspect the exterior of your house after a winter storm. Make sure your roof, gutters and downspouts are all in working order. If you find an ice dam along your roof, remove with hot water. Regularly check your basement walls and floor for leaks during a thaw.

Outdoor safety

Keep the walkways around your house clear of snow and monitor for ice build-up. Use de-icer, sand or kitty litter on icy patches. If ice is really thick in spots, use an ice chopper and break it up. It gets dark early so replace burned-out bulbs in your exterior lights.

Tree limbs

Watch for heavy snow buildup on tree limbs. The added weight from heavy wet snow can cause tree limbs to break. Use a long handle broom to gently brush snow off. You can also lightly shake the tree, but be careful not to cause damage to its brittle branches.

Plan, plan, plan

Research projects you want to work on this year. Educate yourself so you have a good understanding of the entire DIY process. Thorough preparation will make the difference in your project’s success and costly mistakes can be avoided.