Tips and Tricks for Winterizing Your Home
The Winter season usually comes with cold and it is important to prepare your home for the season. One of the best ways to beat winter’s chill is to make your home as energy-efficient as possible. Winterization includes all of the little things that can make your home more comfortable throughout the winter. Some tips for winterizing your house include the following.
- Insulate windows and doors
Insulating your windows and doors to prevent cold air from coming in. You can also install a draft snake which is used for the same purpose as insulation but it works by trapping any incoming drafts before they enter your home.
- Drain all exposed pipes
Keeping an eye on exposed pipes especially those that are located outside of the house such as faucets or hose bibs, make sure you drain them after each use so there won’t be water left inside during winter seasons. The water can freeze and damage your pipes.
- Clear snow away from doors
It is important to keep all entry points clear of any snow or ice build-up. If you have a porch, make sure there’s no accumulation of this on top as it can cause increased weight which might lead to structural collapse or falling objects. Accumulation of snow on doors can also prevent the door from opening. Remove any snow and ice buildup on your roof as well to avoid accumulation that can lead to collapse. Clear all gutters and downspouts after each snowstorm so water won’t be trapped inside and damage them.
- Turn off water supply valves outside the house
Make sure you turn them off before the winter season starts so that they are not exposed to freezing temperatures during the colder days ahead. This prevents the water pipes from bursting and causing any damage to your home.
- Ensure good ventilation
Ensure good ventilation throughout the year because lack of proper ventilation will keep humidity levels high indoors. This may result in condensation forming on surfaces like window panes and leading to potential mold growth. Proper ventilation also keeps the air circulating and prevents stagnation. Air stagnation causes humidity levels to rise indoors. High humidity is unhealthy for people and it leads to the formation of mold.
- Install storm window for single pane glass/window covering
If you have double-paned or triple-paned windows at home then it might be best if you install storm windows over them so they don’t get fogged up during the winter season. You can also use heavy curtains in front of your window instead so there will not be condensation buildup on the inside surface of your house’s existing glass door. Strom is useful because it will stop the cold air from coming into your home through single pane glass/window covering.
- Install a programmable thermostat
Programmable thermostats can help you save money when it comes to heating costs during the winter season. It allows the temperature of your home to be adjusted when everyone is sleeping and no one is at home so there will be less energy spent on maintaining a consistent temperature throughout the house. Without such thermostats, the heater will be turned on and running even when you are not at home.
Winterizing your home is a great way to ensure that you and your family will be warm during the winter season. You can also make sure that no unnecessary damage shall happen to your house because of possible leaks, cracks and other problems brought about by cold weather like frostbite.
8. Protect items stored outdoors
Many valuable items need to be stored outside for the winter. These items might include boats, RVs, patio furniture, and maintenance equipment. These items need to be protected from the elements to keep them looking and working their best. Protect these items by covering them with tarps or custom-made covers. You can also hire a shrink wrapping service that will tightly wrap the items in protective plastic.
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