Tips to Prepare Your Home for Winter
This article looks at 5 basic ways you can prepare your home for winter.
09/10/2020
From enjoying the fall foliage to going apple picking, getting your home ready for the impending winter is probably not at the top of your to-do list. But here’s the bitter truth: failing to prepare for winter may cause real damage to your home, including broken pipes, critters in your attic, and many other inconveniences.
This post explores five basic ways you can prepare your home for winter.
Pest-Proofing Your Home
Guess what; you’re not the only one that loves to get all warm and cozy during the cold weather. Wild critters are also looking for places to stay warm. Animals like raccoons, squirrels, bats, and more may choose to spend the winter in your attic, crawlspace, or even chimney. Rodents and roaches can also make your house their winter home. Aside from the destruction and pollution these pests cause, they also pose many health risks.
Pest-proofing your home before the winter sets in will save you a lot of stress and money. Here are some tips to bear in mind:
√ Ensure that you seal all potential holes into your home and property.
√ Keep a clean yard to avoiding attracting these animals.
√ Keep a clean kitchen and home. Tiny food crumbs around your home will attract insects.
You can also always visit homepestcontrol.org and hire a pro for help to pest-proof your home.
Inspect Your HVAC system
There’s nothing worse than reaching for your
thermostat for the first time, only to realize
your heating system isn’t working. Asides from
spending more money to fix it because it’s an
emergency, you’ll also have to bear a few cold
nights.
At the very least, change your
filters. Or better still, have a reputable HVAC
contractor service it. This will also help to
preserve the life of your system.
Insulate Your Windows
According to the U.S. Energy Department,
about 20 percent of
energy loss is due to window
leaks. Those tiny cracks along the edges will
let cold air slip in, and add to your energy
bills.
Fill in those gaps with caulk,
which can easily be removed by the end of the
winter. Even better is to cover your windows in
‘shrink wrap’. This maintenance cost only a few
dollars but will save you a lot in energy bills.
Clear Your Gutters
Once the leaves are pretty much off the
trees, it’s time to clean those gutters. Leaves
and mud can block the gutters. This causes an
overflow, thereby allowing water to run down
your home. This can accelerate the deterioration
of your exterior, lead to water infiltration in
the basement, and even weaken your foundation.
Once winter arrives, the water retained
in the gutter can result in an ice dam forming
at your roof edges, which prevents melting snow
from draining off the roof. The water held
behind the dam may leak into your home and
damage the ceiling, insulation, walls, and more.
Fixing a leaky roof is expensive, but that can
be avoided by cleaning your gutters now!
Protect Your Plumbing
The effects of cold weather on pipes and
plumbing can be devastating. If the water in
your pipe freezes, it expands and may burst the
pipe. A simple tip that’ll cost you nothing is
to turn off all outdoor plumbing and drain out
all the water in it before winter.
For
pipes that run through non-insulated areas like
your garage and basement, you should insulate
them before the winter sets in. This will help
to prevent costly repairs later on.
Conclusion
Stop procrastinating! Go get your home ready for winter. You’d be glad you did as you’ll enjoy the season to the fullest.