When the wind starts howling and the frost starts appearing on the trees, it's time to winterize your home. The good news is that it's easier than you think! Here are just five ways to prepare your home for everything from snow to sub-zero temperatures.
1. Perform Draft Tests
First things first: Where are your drafts coming from? The source of the problem could be as small as a crack in your window frame or a weather strip that's eroded away from the floor over the years. Go around your home with a bottle of caulk to plug up the leaks and stop exterior winds from bringing down the entire temperature of your home.
2. Insulate
Your attic should be your first stop. Then your basement. You might also want to insulate any sunrooms or attached kitchens that share doors, windows or other openings with the outside world. The goal is to pad all access points into your home so winter won't be able to reach you indoors. Its bite will be stopped by all of your insulation efforts.
3. Clean Your Gutters
This is something many homeowners don't even think about until it's too late. When your rain gutters are full of leaves, branches and debris, they freeze and turn into projectiles just waiting to drop and hurt someone. They can also cause irreparable damage to the gutters themselves through their constant freeze-and-thaw cycle.
4. Protect Your Pipes
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can raise the temperature of your home by 2-5 degrees when you insulate your pipes. You'll also ensure that you get hot water without any sputters or delays, something critically needed when you've just stumbled out of bed on a cold morning and are desperate for a hot shower. Take the time this year to insulate your pipes: It's worth it.
5. Check Your HVAC System
When's the last time you changed your furnace filters? How long ago was your hot water heater professionally inspected? You should have HVAC units looked at every few years or so. Not only will this ensure that you're getting the best performance out of your system, but it'll also inform you of any problems just waiting to happen.
These are just five ways to prepare your home for the upcoming winter. A little caution now can save you a lot of time, energy and frozen toes in the future!
Winter is nearly here! To get the best advice on winterizing your Salt Lake City, UT home, call Valley Plumbing at 801-341-4222 today.
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