How to Winterize your Home
With the ice and snow reaching into the southern states this
winter, is your home protected?
In the winter months, freezing rain and snow may cause damage to
many homes across the country. With the high rise in cost for
heating this year, many homes could save hundreds of dollars by
simply preparing their homes for the harsh weather by
winterizing, or prepping the home for winter.
How could you protect your home for the winter months?
Winterizing your home is much simpler than most people think.
Start Winterizing Your Home by Sealing Leaks
One of the best ways to begin to winterize your home is to
actually check the exterior of your house for cracks. A crack
along the outside of your home lets heat out, making it more
difficult to keep your house warm. Even houses with siding
around the outside could have cracks along the fireplace, or
even under the eaves. Windows and doors are the most popular
areas for cracks.
Once you've located the problem areas, you can fill the cracks
with a caulking compound. Apply a generous amount of caulking
directly into the cracks and smooth the caulking out with your
finger or a tool. Be sure to seal the crack completely as you
smooth out the caulking.
Winterizing your Home by Protecting your Pipes
Pipes that go unprotected can freeze and burst with time. Broken
pipes can cost thousands of dollars to replace. Avoid
unnecessary costs by caring for your pipes properly in cold
weather.
To start, identify any water hoses that may be hooked up. These
hoses that are filled with water should be removed and emptied
and put away during the freezing weather.
Next, outside faucets or piping can be protected from cold
weather with heat tape. You can purchase heat tape from any
local hardware store. Wrap the tape around exposed outdoor pipes
and this should be enough to keep your faucets from freezing. If
you have an outdoor pump system, even if it's in a shed, it
could still freeze up and cause problems if the weather is well
below freezing. Use a heat lamp in the late evening hours to
prevent freezing.
Winterizing Your Home with Insulation
Finally, if your house is lacking proper insulation, you could
save hundreds of dollars on heating costs by getting it
installed. Contact a professional installer and get an estimate
for putting in insulation or get an evaluation if you don't know
if you need insulation. Even if your home does have insulation,
have it checked for any damage caused by leaks.
Insulation is inexpensive to have installed. You can do it
yourself and save money by going to your local hardware store
and getting the supplies.
Don't forget to check the attic space for proper insulation.
Many homebuilders may skip putting insulation in the roof to
save on building costs, but this form of additional insulation
significantly reduces heat releasing through the attic.
These simple steps are often overlooked, but could save
thousands of dollars on heating costs and repairs to your home.
Most of these things you can do yourself. Talk to your local
hardware store or contact Maintenance Made Simple
(1-866-373-7247 or www.m2simple.com) for more ideas on how to
winterize your home.
About the author:
Suave Brachowski writes for Maintenance Made Simple, a provider
of home repair franchises. They are a full bodied home repair
and remodeling company that offers quality craftsmanship at cost
effective prices for its consumers. Their aim is to make the
task of finding a qualified tradesman simple. For more
information visit http://www.m2simple.com.
Suave Brachowski
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