Is Your Home Ready for Winter?

Depending on where you live, winter may have arrived at your home already. If not, winter is on its way. Weatherproofing now could prevent costly repairs in the coming months. It can also help you maintain your home’s resale value. Below are five important tips to get your home ready for winter:

Insulate Your Plumbing

Cold weather could cause the water in your pipes to freeze. Even worse, it could cause your pipes to burst, resulting in flooding to your home. An easy, effective and affordable way to insulate your plumbing is installing tubular sleeve insulation. Leaving your cabinets open during freezing weather also exposes them to warmer air in the house.

Inspect Your Roof

Leaks can ruin so much more than just the roof. Inspect your roof for loose or missing shingles, holes and weak spots or dips that may rot or cave in during heavy rain or snow. You’ll need to fill or cover holes, replace damaged or missing shingles, and seal the base of any static, dormer or whirlybird vents. You should also check the roof from the inside to ensure you found any potential problem areas.

Seal Doors and Windows

Cold air could be seeping into your home around windows and doors, wreaking havoc on your heating bills. This winter check all windows and outside doors, feeling for drafts. Don’t forget to feel near the bottom of the doors while they are closed, as weather stripping on the bottom of your doors can wear out over time. You can use caulk to seal areas both inside and outside your windows where air is getting in. Using a U-shaped door bottom can also help keep air from entering below the door.

Check Attic Insulation

Attic insulation helps regulate the temperature in your home and can keep your energy costs down. Do a spot check to ensure you don’t have gaps or cracks where air can get in and add insulation as needed. Upkeep on insulation is minimal and could have a huge impact on your energy bills. Up to 40% of home energy loss can come from the attic. You may even want to look into an attic tent or cover for your attic stairs and door.

Cover Your Water Heater Tank

Most water heaters get installed in garages, attics and basements where they are exposed to cold temperatures. That means your water heater tank could be losing heat. By covering your tank with a water heater blanket (not just any household blanket) you may be able to reduce heat loss by up to 25%. If you have a tankless water heater, you can apply inexpensive pipe foam for added insulation.

These home maintenance tips can help keep your house in top shape and protect it from the elements so you can stay safe and cozy all winter.

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