What Every Northern Virginia Homeowner Should Be Doing This Month
February can feel like a somewhat lost time. First of all, it’s the shortest month of the year, but it also falls in an inopportune place on the calendar, following the resolutions and excitement of January but preceding the motivation that typically comes with spring.
If you’re a homeowner in the Northern Virginia region, don’t let this February pass by unproductively! Just because the weather is still wintry doesn’t mean you can’t take this time to keep your home and your life organized and well maintained.
Don’t know where to start? No problem! We’ve put together this checklist of ten things every NOVA homeowner can take care of this month.
- Sort through Paperwork
Especially if the weather outside is foul, turn your maintenance attention indoors. Take this time to sort through all that paperwork that has accumulated in your home office, random drawers, and filing cabinets.With tax season just around the bend, it’s also a great time to make sure you’ve got all your receipts, W-2s, and other tax necessities in order.
- Give Your Fridge and Garbage Disposal a Good Cleaning
After the hectic holiday season, it’s a good bet your fridge and your garbage disposal were put through the ringer. Freshen everything up by emptying your refrigerator and disinfecting. Not a fan of harsh chemicals? Simply use white vinegar and baking soda. For the garbage disposal, run some baking soda and citrus peels. It’s an easy, cost-effective way to quickly freshen your entire kitchen.
- Give Some Attention to Your Entryway
If you’re battling snow buildup, deicing salt, or mud in your entryway, give it a good cleaning. Winter can be harsh on entryways, and doing a little bit of cleaning more often ends up being a lot easier than one big clean at the end of the season.Your entryway is the portal into your home. Make sure it’s inviting, clean, and organized. Small things like lining up winter boots and ensuring other snow gear is in its place can make a big aesthetic difference!
- Check Gutters and Roof for Snow Dams
We recently published a winter maintenance checklist, and in it, we warn against the dangers of ice dams forming along your roof line. Because snow and ice can be so damaging to a home, we’re including it on this checklist as well. Throughout the entirety of winter, you should be regularly keeping an eye on both your roof and gutters. If you notice an issue here, don’t ignore it. Address it before it becomes a much more problematic (and expensive) leak.
- Check for Leaky Pipes
After the freezing temperatures of a typical Northern Virginia winter, you’re going to want to be especially on the lookout for leaky pipes that might have frozen and cracked. A fully compromised pipe can make for extensive water damage, but even a slow leak wastes a surprising amount of water—and money. All in all, it’s well worth your time to check all the lines, including supply lines to sinks and toilets.
- Clean (and Declutter) Your Bookshelves
Dust seems to have a habit of accumulating on bookshelves. Because it’s a bit cumbersome to remove all the books to give the area a good dusting, this task often gets bumped to the bottom of every to-do list. February is the perfect time to finally check it off that list. Dust the shelves themselves, and then vacuum the books clean using a soft brush attachment.While you’re at it, comb through your literary collections. While everything is off the shelf, it’s a great time to make a donation pile of anything you’re ready to pass on to the next bibliophile.
- Small Paint Touch-Ups
If you want to paint an entire room, it’s probably best to wait until the warm weather sets in so you can keep windows and doors open for better ventilation. February, however, is a great time to just do those little paint touch-ups you’ve been meaning to tackle. Maybe there’s a nick in your kitchen cabinets; maybe your trim has some scuffs or imperfections, and a fresh coat of paint will restore it to its original glory. Whatever the project, February is a great time to do these kinds of small interior cosmetic fixes.
- Clean Your Air Ducts
If you were on the ball before winter set in, you might have already changed your furnace filter and had your HVAC system serviced. However, February is the heart of winter. Especially in a place like Northern Virginia, you’ve likely been using your system hard throughout the season. Cleaning your ducts can cut down on the dust and allergens distributed through the air in your home, and it can help ensure your system runs without issue through the remainder of the chilly temperatures.One vent you might neglect? The duct that connects your dryer to the outside. Lint and debris can accumulate in here, increasing energy bills, decreasing dryer efficiency, and even making a fire more likely. Don’t forget to put this small but important task on your February to-do list! - Clean, Maintain, and Test Your Sump Pump
Spring rains in Northern Virginia can increase groundwater, so you want to ensure your sump pump is in working order when that occurs. In February you should clean out the sump pump pit and ensure the actual pump is in full working order. Finding a problem now will give you enough time to fix it before that extra influx of water in the spring. If you’re confident you know what you’re doing, this can be a do-it-yourself task; if you’re unsure, call in a professional. - Get an Energy Audit, and Conserve Where You Can
Winter invariably brings the highest utility bills. Your furnace is blasting day and night, and few hours of daylight mean your lights are on almost constantly. It all adds up to big bucks every month. February is a great time, therefore, to get a home energy audit. During this assessment, professionals will point out where you have leaks that are letting in cold air (windows or doors that could be blocked by door sweeps), and they can also alert you to bigger savings opportunities, such as insulation upgrades.Don’t forget that small changes can also add up to big savings. Shut doors to rooms you’re not using, don’t obstruct heat vents with furniture, and always close the chimney flue when not in use. (And, of course, wrap up in cozy blankets before adjusting the thermostat!)
As a homeowner, it’s in your best interest to keep on top of house maintenance throughout the year. If you went through some preventative maintenance heading into winter, that’s great, but don’t let that lull you into complacency! February is a great time to knock off some interior chores before the more serious spring cleaning season arrives.
Thinking about making your home in the Northern Virginia area? Talk to one of our experienced, qualified agents today!
