Preparing Your Home For The Fall And Winter Season
Winter is certainly the harshest season, and you must prepare your home to face extreme temperatures. However, “winterizing” your home is anything but easy, as this involves renovations, new paint, outside repairs and many other areas that require your attention. Here you will find several useful tips and hints on how to prepare your home for the fall and winter season :
1. Clean The Gutters
The snow and ice will eventually melt, this is why your gutters must be properly cleaned and inspected before the cold season arrives. It is not uncommon for dust, cone pines, leaves and other debris to accumulate in your gutters, this is why you need to have them checked and cleaned on a regular basis. After you remove the debris, make sure to wash the gutters with a strong water jet and to repair any cracks or damage to the gutter system. If you do not do this, water will overflow and damage the structure of your home and the repairs will cost you a small fortune.
2. Insulate The Attic
If you did not insulate your attic so far, then now is the time to do it. Insulation is cost-effective and this is a very good long-term investment that will surely pay off, given the fact that the energy bills will be significantly reduced. Basically, by insulating your attic you will make sure that the heat is trapped inside the home: this will ensure a relatively stable and comfortable temperature throughout the cold winter months, which means that you will no longer need to use the heating system as often as you did before.
3. Prepare The Windows
The windows also play a pivotal role, as around 10% of the air that leaks out of a home exits through unsealed windows. If you want a quick and efficient fix then you should opt for weather stripes that will help you make the windows secure and airtight. These strips are self-adhesive and they will eliminate air leakage. Nonetheless, the surface of the windows must be thoroughly cleaned before applying the stripes. The good news, however, is that you do not need any experience to apply these special stripes: just cut the strips, peel them off and press them in place.
On the other hand, another good idea is to install storm windows. This is particularly useful if you want to reduce the air leakage throughout the entire year, not just during the winter. The good news is that storm windows come in a wide array of shapes, styles and designs, and they are also made from many different materials, from wood to vinyl.
4. Prepare The Pipes
The piping system is very important, given the fact that most of the cold air comes through pipe holes. If you find any leaks or holes, fix them immediately: make sure to check the pipes in your bathroom, kitchen and basement. At the same time, it is important to protect them from freezing, as water tends to freeze during the winter season: fortunately, you can easily do this with special foam insulation that you can find at the local hardware store.
5. Fix Any Exterior Issues
Crevice cracks are not uncommon for home exteriors, and neither are holes in the walls or unsealed entry points around the pipes: make sure to carefully inspect the exterior of your home and seal all the holes and cracks.