9 Ways To Prepare Your Home For Winters

Winter preparation may not seem necessary—or even top of mind—at this time of year, but getting started now will help you ensure that your home is ready for fall and winter. Create a plan for protecting your home and property now, if your area has hard winters, so you can relax when the first surprise freeze occurs.

Hence, doing a DIY is kind of a necessary thing but if that DIY goes wrong? Well, with the idea of hiring a professional energy audit company like Energy Savings you can achieve your desired goal.

So are you ready to get yourself into the efficient ways to prep your home for the coming winters?

Let’s get started…

1. Pipes should be insulated.

A possible hazard is any exposed pipe that runs along a wall or is in an unheated location (such as a basement or crawl space). When temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the water inside the pipe can freeze and rupture. “Pipe insulation is a simple way to keep them safe. It looks like a large length of spaghetti with a slit in it, and you can get it at the hardware store “Lou Manfredini, host of HouseSmarts, agrees.

2. Change the direction of your ceiling fans

If your ceiling fan includes a reverse switch, use it to flip the blades of the fan clockwise after the heat is turned on. According to Energy Star, the fan will create an updraft and force heated air from the ceiling into the room (remember, hot air rises).

This is especially useful in rooms with high ceilings, and it may even allow you to lower your thermostat by a couple of degrees to save energy.

3. Ice Dams Can Be Avoided

If your property had a lot of icicles last winter, or even worse, ice dams, which can cause meltwater to back up and spill into your home, take precautions this year to avoid potential damage.

Air leaks and poor insulation in your attic can lead to ice dams, which can be identified and fixed by a home energy auditor or weatherization specialist.

4. Hit the Roof

Alternatively, use binoculars to scan it attentively. Look for shingles that are broken, loose, or missing, as these could leak during winter storms or from melting snow.

Hire a handyman to fix a few shingles or a roofer for a larger portion if necessary. Also, inspect and fix any cracks in the flashing seals surrounding vent stacks and chimneys.

If your roof is flat and covered with asphalt and pebbles, as many in the Southwest are, rake or blow off fallen leaves and pine needles, which can trap moisture, according to Bill Richardson, past president of the American Society of Home Inspectors in Albuquerque.

5. Gutter cleaning

If they’re blocked with leaves, the debris might freeze into a large, frozen mass that can damage the roof by getting under the tiles. Scoop out the debris with a sturdy ladder and work gloves so water can drain. “Make sure you’re comfortable on a ladder and have a buddy to assist you,” Manfredini advises. While a leaf blower can help, you may still need to finish the task with your hands. Do you prefer to hire a handyman? The service takes roughly two hours on average.

6. Sprinklers should be turned off.

If you have an outdoor sprinkler system, drain any remaining water before the first freeze to avoid the pipes expanding and cracking. Hiring an irrigation contractor to blow away the water with compressed air is your best bet. Consult the manufacturer’s website if you want to try it yourself. (The directions differ depending on the system.) In most cases, switching off the water supply and then opening the drain valves at the lowest point of the irrigation system (typically in the basement) to allow water to drain are the steps involved.

7. Mulch your flowerbeds.

Apply a layer of hardwood mulch to all of your flower beds before the worst winter temperatures arrive. “At this time of year, mulching helps moderate changes in soil temperature,” Horn explains. The mulch works as insulation, protecting the plants from the impending freezing conditions. Roots are prone to considerable harm without it, and plants may die as a result.

8. Examine the tree’s branches.

Look for branches growing over the house, garage, driveway, or power lines on your property. Those could come down during a storm and do significant harm. Branches touching against each other might also cause breakage. Dead leaves that remain connected after the rest of the tree has shed, several smooth places that are without bark, or sites where mushrooms have developed are all symptoms of dead limbs. If you notice anything unusual, contact an arborist for a consultation.

9. Protect your stonework and hard surfaces by sealing them.

Your patio, too, need upkeep! Make sure any concrete patios, driveways, or walks are protected as well. Apply a concrete sealer to your entire flat outside concrete surfaces on a regular basis. All concrete flatwork develops cracks over time. Control joints are deliberately placed in your concrete by good masons to limit cracking. Before applying sealant, check your concrete and fill up any cracks to prevent water from getting in and freezing over the winter. This should ensure that your costly concrete work lasts for many years.

If you have an asphalt driveway, now is a good time to consider resealing it. It’s not too expensive to have a business to come out and spray it with sealer, or you can just buy a bucket of sealer and roll it on yourself. If your driveway has acquired cracks, fill them in before applying the sealant.

Conclusion

During the winter, it’s not simply frozen pipes that can cause problems. There are a few extra precautions you should take when the weather grows cooler to keep your home in good shape. So if you’re also one of them who are searching for a professional energy audit company, we are just a call away! Get in touch with us today!