Bay Area winters are mild compared to what other parts of the country experience, but the weather can still take a toll on your home. If a home isn't properly winterized, the heavy storms and occasional freezes can cause dry rot and roof leaks, or worse cracked water pipes and basement flooding. That's why, even in the Bay Area, it essential to perform preventative winterization measures on your home or condo.

Below you will find 12 essential home maintenance tips for prepare your Bay Area home or condo for winter.

Winter Care Tips Checklist for Your Home

Gutters: The purpose of your gutters is to carry water away from the roof and foundation of your home. Clogged gutters can create an issue with standing water on the roof and near the foundation of your home, potentially causing wood rot and uneven settling. When gutters get heavy, they put stress on the wood fascia boards, which could possibly lead to the gutter pulling away from the house completely.

Exterior: Walk around your home and look for cracks in the foundation, siding, or concrete. Fix them immediately. Make sure all doors and windows are adequately caulked and sealed. Cracks can lead to leaks, mold, and dry rot. They also let cold air in, increasing your utility bill.

Roof: Check for broken or missing shingles, standing water, or deteriorated sealant. All of these issues can cause leaks, which can cause an expensive problem if not taken care of, so hire a licensed professional to fix them.

Trim Trees: Dead branches can turn into dangerous projectiles during wind storms, so make sure to have a professional come and trim limbs and branches, making sure they are at least three feet away from your home.

Walkways and Lighting: Cracked or uneven walkways and stairs are always dangerous but add wet weather or darkness, and you have a significant problem. Make sure the railing is steady, stairs are secure, and walkways don't have loose bricks, stones, or any tripping hazards. Check all exterior lights to ensure they are illuminating correctly.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Make sure you have a smoke detector in every bedroom and common area as well as a carbon monoxide detectors installed on each floor. Check the batteries once a month to make sure everything is functioning correctly.

Heating System: HVAC systems can be a significant emitter of carbon monoxide if not working correctly. So clean your filters monthly and have an HVAC professional inspect the unit annually. Have a professional check for gaps in the attic ducting or sub-floor areas. Repairing gaps can help you save on energy costs throughout the winter.

Move Outdoor Furniture: Rain can cause your nice outdoor furniture to rust and rot - so bring them inside. You may also want to move trampolines or other outdoor toys inside as well.

Door Screens: Now is the perfect time to clean your screens to remove the dirt that accumulates throughout the year. Put the screens in your basement to prevent them from rusting.

Sump Pump: If you use a sump pump to prevent flooding, take a look to make sure it's working correctly.

Fireplace and Chimney: A fire in the fireplace is a simple pleasure in the wintertime, but a clogged chimney or fireplace can create a lot of unwanted smoke. Call a chimney sweep to clean your fireplace, chimney, and flue. Once everything is clean, grab some firewood and get cozy.

Ceiling Fans: Push warm air down into a room by changing the direction of your ceiling fans - this simple change could save you money on heating costs.

Winter Care Tips Checklist for Your Condo

Replace Your Air Filter: Air passes through the air filter, so you don't breathe in a lot of dust. The dirtier your air filter, the worse the quality of air in your home is. Plus, the harder your system has to work to heat your home. To change the filter, find the wall panel. Most condo units have a panel on the wall where you can find the air filter. Turn your system off and remove the filter and replace it. Make sure you have the right size filter, if you have questions, take the old one to a local hardware store, and they can help you find the right one. Ideally, you should switch out your filter twice a year.

Monitor Humidity Levels: Winter air is dry, so many people use humidifiers in their homes. If you are one of these people, make sure you're not overdoing it with the humidity. If you notice condensation on your windows, then your home is too humid. Excessive moisture indoors and cold temperatures outdoors can lead to damage.

Check for Gaps: Your windows and patio doors probably get a lot of use during the other three seasons. Your windows and doors must close properly; otherwise, you'll waste a lot of energy trying to heat your home. Leaks can easily be fixed with caulking, but if a window or sliding door, you may have to call a professional.

Clean Your Lint Traps: If you have a washer and dry in your unit, there are two lint traps you need to clean; this is something that many condo owners aren't aware of. Most people know about the lint trap in the dryer, but you also need to look in the laundry room, as there is a lint trap in the ceiling. During the winter, as you wash heavier items, you need to clean the lint trap frequently as a collection of lint is a fire hazard.