With temperatures dropping and warm summer evenings fading to a pleasant memory, thoughts turn to winter. In preparation for those long cold days and nights we drag out the down jackets and fur lined boots, get out the snow tires and prepare our homes for hibernation.
While evenings spent beside a cozy fireplace with a hot chocolate can be a great way to pass the winter hours away, failing to adequately winterize your home in advance can prove costly.
Taking some simple steps in advance of winters descent will ensure you are not battling mishaps instead of enjoying the season to its fullest. Here are our 3 keys to winterizing your home.
1. PROTECT YOUR PIPES
The first step is to ensure that all exterior taps and sprinkler systems are drained of water. When temperatures drop below zero, any water remaining in pipes can freeze and expand causing pipes to burst. The resulting damage from burst pipes can be costly not to mention the inconvenience and potential safety hazards.
You may also want to consider insulating pipes especially those exposed in attics and crawl spaces. These areas can be substantially colder than in your main living areas and wrapping them in an insulating sleeve can prevent them from freezing.
If you are winterizing a cabin or vacation property, you may want to consider turning off the water altogether. This way you won’t return in the spring to some nasty surprises.
2. HAVE YOUR FIREPLACE SERVICED
Whether your home has a wood burning or gas fireplace it is a good idea to have it serviced annually. Wood burning fireplaces can have a dangerous buildup of creosote a highly combustible residue that can easily ignite. Gas fireplaces can get a build up of dust on the logs or gas valves that can cause an offensive odor when on or reduced efficiency and higher heating costs.
While there are many do it yourself tips online, these jobs can be messy, time consuming and dangerous. We recommend having a professional do the work. The cost is relatively inexpensive, between $150-$350 depending on the type and location of your fireplace. A qualified pro will have all the right tools, know what to look for and take a fraction of the time to complete the job
3. SEAL DRAFTY WINDOWS AND DOORS
This is one of those jobs that you can easily do yourself and will save you hundreds on your heating costs. Windows and doors are two of the biggest culprits when it comes to losing heat and therefore money from your home during the winter.
Before the cold descends, take the time to check weather stripping for wear and cracks. Once you have removed the old and worn product you can easily install new weatherstripping or caulking. All home reno stores will carry a variety of products that are reasonably priced. You can likely re-do your whole house for less than $250.
You may also want to consider installing an energy saving film on your windows to reduce heat loss. Again, these products are readily available at most home supply stores and can be installed quickly and inexpensively.
If your handyman skills are below zero, then at least consider buying heavier drapes and placing a rolled up towel at the base of exterior doors. A closed black out drape will substantially reduce the heat loss through your windows and a rolled up towel will absorb drafts and aid in keeping the cold out and the warmth in.
This list is not exhaustive by any means, roofs and gutters should also be checked as well as furnaces and other heating systems. However, if you take these 3 simple steps you will save money and enjoy your home more during the cold winter months ahead.