There are few things you should do around the house to winterize your home. These tips to help you make it through the winter without nasty problems like frozen water pipes or broken gutters.
Read on to learn what to do before the temperatures drop!
No one likes the idea of paying more than they have to on their energy bills. One of the best ways to keep them down in winter is to ensure that your home is buttoned up nicely.
Check for drafts around windows and doors and add weatherstripping as needed. Add some extra insulation to your attic if necessary. If you have a fireplace, get into the habit of keeping the damper closed when you're not using it.
How long your heater lasts and how well it works is largely dependent on how you take care of it. You should clean or replace the air filter regularly and have your furnace inspected by a reputable HVAC professional before winter kicks in.
Let us assure you that if your heater goes out on the coldest day of the year you will be kicking yourself for not following this tip. Schedule a visit sooner rather than later as HVAC companies tend to get busier as the temperatures drop.
The gutters are important for ensuring that water is properly drained away from your house. However, dirty, clogged gutters can lead to serious problems with your roof.
Clogged gutters mean that water can back up and pool on top of your roof. If left long enough, this can cause a leaky roof and lead to a hefty repair bill. On top of that, if the water freezes in your gutters it can create ice dams that won't allow snow to fall off your roof as well as cause the gutter to burst.
It's kind of an icky job, so if you don't want to do it yourself schedule a visit with a local company that offers gutter cleaning services.
Don't forget, water expands as it freezes. That means that any water you leave in your sprinkler system or outside faucets could cause those pipes to burst.
The sprinkler system lines should be blown out, which may require a professional. Draining your outside faucets is pretty easy. Simply shut off the valve that leads to your outside spigots and turn them on for a few minutes. Most of the water will drain out and that is enough, the remaining water has room to expand if it freezes.
Follow these tips to enjoy your winter without a major catastrophe occurring in your house.