Preparing your home for the winter doesn’t have to be a big deal. Winterizing is an easy way to save lots of money on your heating bill and will make the home cozier. No one wants to sit on the couch and feel a cold draft blowing in from the snowy outdoors. There are several things to consider when winterizing your home such as chance of snow and freezing. But for the most part getting your home ready for winter consists of a few obvious and some less obvious do-it-yourself jobs. Here’s a list of five things to check and, if need be, fix before the cold sets in.
1. Insulation – There’s a good chance that your home is already insulated but what about the attic? Heat rises and if the attic is improperly insulated or not protected at all, heat can easily escape out of your home. You can also save money on hot water by wrapping a water heater blanket around the tank. This will also prolong the life of the water heater and allow the water to say hotter, longer.
2. Sealing – Do a thorough inspection of the exterior of your home to check for cracks or gaps that allow cold air to seep in and hot air to escape out. If you find some, purchase an industrial grade sealant to patch the exterior. Make sure the sealant is designed for winter as well and can withstand low temperature, wind, ice and snow.
3. Weather stripping – An easy, do-it-yourself preparation for winter is to install inexpensive but durable weather stripping to your doors and windows. This creates a seal between the window and the wall so air cannot flow through.
4. Clean the heat ducts – Cleaning the ducts and getting rid of any dust or build-up will guarantee a smooth flow of air in the home. Hiring a professional is best because most likely they have better tools and will do a more thorough job.
5. Drain hoses and clean gutters – A great way to ruin a garden hose is to leave water in them through the winter and let them freeze. Drain the hose completely and stock it away. Also, clean the gutters completely. If water can’t drain effectively and freezes the gutters can crack and break.
Winterizing your home doesn’t have to be a big chore that takes weeks or a bunch of professionals. This is a list of easy, do-it-yourself tips that will save you lots of money in the long run and ensure that your home is nice and toasty for the winter. Your family and your wallet will thank you.
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Whitmire Custom Homes is a Georgia custom home builder located in Gainesville, Georgia. Since 1978, we have been committed to helping homeowners realize their dream of a custom designed home while being the most hassle free builder in Georgia. We are proud to be an Atlanta luxury home builder and serve other cities including Marietta, Alpharetta and Lawrenceville and pleased to be a featured author on UniqueVanities.com!
