Enjoy those snowy-flakes, windy evenings and cold nights! As we all know winters are finally here. You need to manage your home according to this warm season. So that you can feel cozy and comfy staying home. And also this way you can feel the warmth of the fireplace and the soul of the morning sunbeam.
These steps will let you to prepare your home for cold weather and most of them are the ones that you can do yourself.
The Heating System
To warm up your home in cold weather isn’t a difficult task if your heating system is well-tuned and well-maintained. Book a technician to inspect your furnace to check out whether it is working properly or not. He will repair and clean the system to increase its efficiency. The carbon-monoxide leakage is necessary to be checked to ensure the safety facts.
Another thing that has to be considered is the authenticity of the technician that he must be certified by the NATE program and he must be following the ACCAs protocols of National Standards for Residential Maintenance.
Reverse the Air Flow
Use your ceiling fans to raise the hot air flow by producing an updraft and pushing down the heat by the furnace. Just switch on the reverse switch of the fan which will run the blades in clockwise direction.
If your home has got high ceilings, then this life hack will really work and you may need to lower down the thermostat. It is especially meaningful for energy saving purpose.
Block Ice Dams
Remember the condition of the ice dams at the end of previous winters. So if your house had big icicles and if trees and plants are near to your house which causes branches to break and damage your home with ice dams, take immediate steps to prevent the possible damage. You can do this by giving a contract to home-energy preventers or weatherization teams who are committed to identify and fix the air leaks and inappropriate insulation which causes the ice dams to be oversized.
Check Out The Roof
The roof of your home is the place where most of the ice resides. If there’s any leakage, loose or missing shingles or damaging issues, the melting snow will flow along with your walls. That’s why you need to inspect and scan it with binoculars. You can also hire a person who can repair the roof or a section of the roof or a few blocks in very reasonable rates. Also check out if there are leakage and breaks in the vent stacks or chimneys, so that they can be repaired too.
Windows and Doors Caulking
Scan closely for any gap between the window and the sliding. Also inspect the fitting between the door frames and the width of the nickel. If the air can pass by the linings, then apply exterior caulk around them. Silicone caulk is best for the purpose as it doesn’t shrink and won’t allow any passage to air or snow. You can also use GEs Silicone II, window sealing putty and weather-stripping around the doors and windows.
Drain Cleaning
To prevent your home from water backing or sewerage blocking, check out the drainages that they should be free of detritus. This can cause roof damage, ice dams and sliding and wood trim.
Divert the Flow
Additional water downspouts to the drains can improve the water flow during rainfall. But the water should run at least 3-4 ft. away from the ground.
Turn off Faucet Valves
One of the biggest problems of winter is the frozen water within the pipes and eventually the bursting of them due to the ice expansion. Turn off the shut-off valves inside your home that prevents the water flow in the faucets. Also disconnect the gardening pipes ad drains that remain in faucets. Furthermore, channel your lawn irrigation system and contact a professional for this who can trench sprinkle-system pipes as with plugs that will help freezing and leakage.
Emergency Essentials
Be ready for any possible emergency situations like blackouts and snow-ins. You and your family must be equipped with emergency essentials like flashlights, bottled water, extra blankets, preserved food items, first aid kit and battery backups. These things will surely help you out during the freezing winters.
Instead of getting miserable with the chilling thoughts of winter, have extreme fun preparing your home ready for the oh-so-cold season.