As your lifestyle changes following the different seasons, so should your house. With winter approaching, it’s time for you to do annual maintenance duties, bring out the wool gloves, and begin looking forward to cozy nights.
Whether you have an existing home or scored a deal on a recent sale on houses and are moving in this winter, here are five tips that can make your home winter-friendly, making it as warm, safe, and inviting to ward off those winter blues.
Make Small Adjustments for the Safety of Kids and Pets
If you live in a household with children and pets, these two are the most prone to the harsh cold of winter, so it’s best to make adjustments in your home to ensure safety, warmth, and comfort. An example is, adding rugs or carpeting to your house floors to keep your home cozy. Unless you have underfloor heating, this simple addition can help you secure warmth and safety.
Simple adjustments like the one mentioned can help make the house safer and warmer for kids and pets to roam around the home during the winter.
Ensure Things Are Well-Maintained
General maintenance around the home is essential for the fast-approaching winter months. Essential home systems you need to ensure are in top shape include:
- Dryer Vents – As the colder months approach, you can expect your dryer vent to get used more often. These items are a considerable fire hazard that causes more than 15,00 fires annually. You can prevent this from removing built-up lint from it, reducing fire risk, and improving home energy efficiency.
- Electrical System – With colder months fast approaching and days getting darker quickly, the last thing anyone would want to happen is seeing their electric system to fail. Before the cold weather sets in, ensure you schedule a maintenance check with an electrician.
Check Heater and Pipes, So Nothing Breaks Down
Since you’ll be heating your home throughout winter, you should have your boilers and other heating systems, like the HVAC gets maintained, cleaned, and inspected before the cold hits to ensure everything runs efficiently. These adjustments provide optimal warmth throughout your household.
Moreover, it’s wise to insulate pipes located in the attic, basement, outer walls, crawl spaces, and other places susceptible to freezing in low temperatures. You can do this by letting water drip from cold and hot faucets overnight, keep cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate below kitchen skins.
Reseal Windows and Doors
Leaks or gaps around your door or windows are usually the most common and largest sources of cold winter air getting inside your house, rendering your heating systems useless, wasting energy and money. You can find gaps by placing your hand near the windows or doors’ opening to check for drafts. If you find leaks or cracks on your doors or windows and replace them before winter isn’t possible, you can repair them by applying caulk to seal any of these gaps.
Clear Out Gutters
When your roof’s gutters get blocked with leaves or other natural elements, snow and ice that would usually get directed away from your home will build upon the roof, leading to rotting wooden structures, leaks in the basement, or cracks in its foundation. You can avoid expensive repairs by inspecting and cleaning your gutters before the cold weather approaches.
From frozen pipes to skidding tires, these are winter-weather issues that you can easily avoid by preparing adequately. If you follow the tips mentioned, you can efficiently ‘winterize’ your house, allowing you to enjoy the season in the comfort, safety, and warmth of your home.