Winter Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Home Warm and Safe

By Megan & Erl Brown, Realtor Team

Winter in Maine brings chilly temperatures, shorter days, and weather that can put extra stress on your home. The good news? A few proactive maintenance steps can go a long way toward keeping your home warm, safe, and running efficiently all season long.

As local Realtors—and homeowners ourselves—we see firsthand how regular maintenance not only improves comfort but also protects a home’s long-term value. Here are our top winter home maintenance tips every homeowner should follow.

1. Seal Drafts to Keep Heat In

Cold air often sneaks in through windows, doors, outlets, and attic access panels.

• Add weatherstripping

• Use caulking around window frames

• Install door sweeps

Sealing drafts helps keep your home warmer and can significantly reduce energy costs during the winter months.

2. Service Your Heating System

Before temperatures drop too far, make sure your heating system is ready to perform.

• Schedule a professional furnace or boiler inspection

• Replace air filters

• Check for carbon monoxide leaks

A properly maintained heating system runs more efficiently, lasts longer, and keeps your family comfortable.

3. Protect Your Pipes From Freezing

Frozen pipes are one of the most common (and expensive) winter problems.

• Insulate pipes in unheated areas

• Let faucets drip during extreme cold

• Keep cabinet doors open under sinks to allow warm air to circulate

These small steps can help prevent burst pipes and costly water damage.

4. Inspect Your Roof and Gutters

Snow and ice can add significant weight and stress to your roof.

• Clear debris from gutters

• Check for loose or damaged shingles

• Consider gutter guards or heat cables if ice dams are an issue

Preventing ice buildup helps protect your roof and interior from leaks.

5. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

With more time spent indoors—and increased use of heating systems and fireplaces—safety is especially important in winter.

• Install fresh batteries

• Replace units over 10 years old

• Test detectors monthly

Working detectors are a simple but critical safety measure.

6. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans

Set ceiling fans to run clockwise in the winter. This pushes warm air down from the ceiling and can help reduce heating costs.

7. Prepare for Power Outages

Winter storms can lead to unexpected power outages.

• Stock flashlights and batteries

• Keep bottled water and non-perishable foods on hand

• Charge backup power banks

A little preparation can make a big difference during an outage.

8. Clean Your Fireplace or Chimney

If you use a wood-burning fireplace, proper maintenance is essential.

• Schedule a professional chimney cleaning

• Check the flue for blockages

• Use a spark guard

This reduces fire risk and ensures proper ventilation.

Staying ahead on winter maintenance keeps your home warm, safe, and efficient—and helps protect your investment for years to come. If you need trusted local contractors or have questions about how maintenance impacts your home’s value, feel free to reach out. We’re always happy to share recommendations and help however we can!