You think decking the halls and hanging the stockings on the chimney with care is all you have to worry about this holiday season? Think again. Owning a home is more than just decorating your digs. There are a few precautions you should take to get your house ready for the winter season. Let’s go over your homeowner’s winter holiday checklist.
View this post on Instagram
Clog Up the Drafty Areas
One of the most expensive aspects of winter is the costs of staying warm. An easy fix is to find where the hot air is going out…and where the cold air is coming in! Check entryways such as doors and windows.
For gaps between the door and floor, get a draft stopper. These cushy strips fit around the bottom of the door and are snug to the floor. That way, no air gets in or out.
Also, look at your windows. Caulk around the doors and windows and use weatherstripping. Also, get some foam insulation to put around electrical outlets. That way, cold air doesn’t come through those little holes in the wall.
View this post on Instagram
Make Your Thermostat Smarter
Having a programmable thermostat is a great way to stay ahead of your heating costs. In a mad dash out for the day, we can forget to turn off the furnace. Therefore, you have a nice and toasty house for no one all day long.
By having a programmable thermostat, you need to set the times and temps you want once. From there, it takes care of itself. You can go about your business and have the ideal temperatures whenever you want them.
View this post on Instagram
Clean the Gutters
The outdoors needs care too. Fall time means a lot of fallen leaves. This is a nightmare for gutters. In the winter season, snow is going to come and go. Therefore, the gutters need to be readily available to move the water away from the roof and foundation.
By leaving the leaves in there, it allows for moisture to build up. This will turn to ice is the colder part of winter. This may become too much for your gutters to handle and can cause damage.
View this post on Instagram
Turn off Outside Water Sources
Chances are you won’t be watering your grass or cleaning your car this winter. Therefore, turn the main water source to outdoor faucets off. Otherwise, water running through my freeze. This can cause the pipes to end up bursting!
View this post on Instagram
Inspect Your Fireplace
Thinking of starting a fire? Have someone check it out first. As the months get cold, animals may set up shop inside of your chimney to keep warm. If you do use your fireplace, make sure to close the damper when it’s not in use. Otherwise, you lose all the hot air!
Leave a Reply