One thing can be said to be accurate as we reach the month of November and the temperature drops in many regions of the United States: Winter is coming. Whether you're a fan of the colder months, it's time to prepare your house for winter. Homes that aren't ready for the cold and rainy winter might be destroyed.
That might entail freezing temps and snow, depending on your location. Since harsh weather is becoming more frequent, it's best to prepare for winter now rather than later. Stormy weather and cold temperatures may create various problems inside and outside your house, but with little preventative maintenance, you can keep everything running smoothly throughout the winter.
Find all the places where air might be escaping from your home.
Uneven heating may be caused by drafts and leaks entering damaged walls, doors, and windows. Do it yourself if your utility doesn't provide energy audits for your house. A few methods for preventing air leaks and drafts are provided below. The roof is essential to your home, particularly in the colder months. It's important to look for missing or damaged shingles and get in touch with a roofing contractor if you find any. You should also clean up your gutters and sweep off any debris that may have accumulated on your roof.
Has your chimney checked out?
You should ensure your fireplace is in good working order if you want to use it often. If you want to be sure your house is safe before you use the chimney, you should have a chimney sweep inspect and clean it. Remove any ash and wood that didn't burn from the fireplace. Remember to look for any possible hazards, such as fractures or debris.
You should have your heater checked out.
An early evaluation of a malfunctioning furnace might offer you time to save enough for a replacement unit. Air ducts are another area that needs attention, so think about hiring a professional or doing it yourself. Be careful to also maintain your heating system by routinely replacing the filters.
Protect exposed flooring by covering them.
While laminate, wood, and tile floors are aesthetically pleasing, they may be significant heat leaks in the winter. If you have cold feet in the winter, you may want to cover your flooring with rugs or carpets.
Turn the blades of the fan clockwise.
Most ceiling fan blades are designed to rotate counterclockwise during the warmer months, directing the downward flow of cooled air. The warm air in a room may be directed downward from the ceiling in the winter by rotating the fan blades clockwise on the lowest setting.
Prepare the heating system in advance.
First, you should identify your home's heating system since various systems have varied maintenance requirements. For optimal performance, ensure there are no obstacles in the path of your PVC pipes. Always get your boiler system serviced once a year. And every three years, you should have a professional clean your gas system.
Anticipate cold weather and be ready.
In an impending winter storm, it is essential to keep an eye on the forecast and prepare in advance. Always maintain a vehicle and home kit handy for an emergency. This is an excellent opportunity to invest in a portable generator if you don't already have one at your house.
Get a thermometer that's simple to read.
A spacious, visible area of the house is ideal for the elderly people in your life. The inability to sense temperature changes, especially as one age, might have dangerous consequences. If they have a thermometer and check it periodically, they will know when to wear warmer clothing.
Let the radiators cool off.
When using radiator heating, keeping the area surrounding the radiator clear may prevent big pieces of furniture from becoming uncomfortable due to the increased temperature. You may also insulate an outside wall to stop heat from escaping your home. Additionally, you may prevent warm air from escaping through the ceiling by placing a floating shelf above the radiator in an appropriate location.
We are expecting snow and rain, so please be prepared.
You don't want to have to clean and fix up your house because of the damage it sustained from the winter's cold. Condensation on walls and ceilings may contribute to the growth of mold and mildew, so be sure to insulate them. It is essential to examine the tree's health and prune away any dead branches before it starts to snow. Home damage and power outages are only two potential consequences of having trees close to or around your property. Even when it's warm indoors, you may still appreciate the crisp winter air outside.
As you can see, many options are available when winterizing your house. You can keep the rain and snow where they belong by assessing your home for damage and completing other preventive maintenance.
Book a service appointment with iTaskApp if you believe it would be beneficial to have specialists inspect your plumbing, heating, and electrical systems. Getting started with the app is easy; just download it and create a free account.
Reference:
Comments