As we head into the jolliest (and chilliest) months of the year, it’s easy to be consumed by the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. And the first thing that gets put on the back burner? Home maintenance.

Being a realtor, this is something I see time and time again. My clients rack up a to-do list during the winter months and figure, “Yeah, I’ll have time for that in the spring.”

But when spring rolls around… man. That list is a mile long, and they have a million new things getting in the way of necessary home maintenance.

So, whether or not you’re planning to sell your house next year, here’s a quick list of things you can do to prepare your home for a Kentucky winter:

1. If you haven’t scheduled your sprinkler blowout yet, be sure to get on the list. This is something you can’t do in the spring. By then, freezing temperatures will have ruined your sprinkler system — and that is not something you want to deal with for the sake of healthy, strong grass.

2. Don’t forget to disconnect your hoses from the spigots. Leaving them connected could ruin your faucet and pipe, which will wind up being a costly repair.

3. If you have any exposed water pipes leading into your home, it’s always a good idea to grab some pipe insulation. It’s very affordable and can save you from a lot of damage.

4. Got a green thumb (or just want to try your luck)? Plant bulbs now for beautiful spring flowers!

5. Mulch your garden beds to help insulate roots for the winter. Your plants will thank you when the sun comes back.

6. Clean out your gutters. This is another big one. Dirty gutters can cause ice buildup, which can then lead to serious damage to your roof. It’s not worth the risk!

7. Schedule HVAC maintenance. There’s a lot that goes into this, and since most people aren’t equipped for it, I recommend leaving it to the professionals. Regular maintenance helps your heating system run efficiently, which not only saves you money but also prevents fire hazards and electrical issues. (Hint: if you want to do something about your HVAC right now, change your air filter!)

8. Schedule fireplace and chimney cleaning. If you’re lucky enough to have a wood-burning fireplace, this is an absolute must. In fact, you should schedule a cleaning roughly every 50 burns and have your chimney inspected once a year. After all, we don’t need Santa Claus getting injured on Christmas Eve!

9. Seal any cracks in your driveway. Snow can further damage existing cracks, which is never a pretty sight (nor is it structurally sound).

10. This isn’t winter-related, but it is homeowner-related… Check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure those batteries are in good working condition so you can sleep peacefully at night.

If you need recommendations for local businesses to help you check some of these items off your list, don’t hesitate to reach out. I know people!

Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and safe holiday season.