This year is almost over, and before long, we'll be ringing in a new one. You might be celebrating with a countdown, and perhaps some snacks or a meal with family and friends. But there is another, more functional way to ring in the New Year. Consider making this a time when you re-focus on home maintenance and tackle some of those home care tasks you've been putting off for a while. Here are a few top home maintenance tasks worth completing in January and February.

Clean Out Kitchen Cabinets

This is a great time of year to clean out your kitchen cabinets, throw away any expired food products, and wipe down your shelves. While you're cleaning, make a list of items you need to replace or stock up on. You'll enjoy cooking from a clean, organized, well-stocked pantry all year.

Add Insulation to Your Attic

If it has been snowing in your area, check your roof for ice dams. These are the large formations of ice that sometimes appear on the edges of a roof. If your home has ice dams, you probably don't have enough insulation. Add another layer of insulation to your attic, and you'll better protect your roof from the damage that ice dams can cause.

Check Your Thermostat Batteries

If you have a battery-operated thermostat, change the batteries for the New Year. This will help prevent heating outages during the coldest months.

Turn off Your Home Bib

If you have not yet turned off your hose bib for the season, do so now. This will prevent the water in the hose bib from freezing, which could cause your pipes to burst and flood your home. Most homes have an individual valve associated with just the hose bib. You'll find it near the place where the pipe passes through the wall.

Clean Your Drains

Gunk can accumulate in your drains, eventually leading to clogs. Don't wait for clogs to develop. Pour some boiling water down your drains to preemptively clear away this gunk. You can also try plunging slow drains. While you're at it, make sure you have baskets in your shower and kitchen drains to catch hair and food particles.

Change Water Filters

If you have a water filter in your fridge, this is a good time to change it. You'll be surprised how much fresher your water and ice taste. Buy a few spare filters while you're at it. The next time you're due to change it, you won't have to go to the store. 

Clean the Fridge

After a busy holiday season, your fridge could probably use a cleaning. Empty it out, wipe everything down, and replace an gaskets that are worn, torn, or moldy.

If you dedicate some time to home maintenance in January, you'll enjoy a cleaner, healthier home all year long. Remember you can always contact Hassle Free Home Services for help with your home maintenance. Our seasonal plans are perfect for busy homeowners.