Now that the cold weather of winter has officially arrived, it’s time to start preparing your home for the coming months of sub-freezing temperatures and snowstorms. Take these important steps to protect your home from winter’s worst, so that you can get back to enjoying the season instead of worrying about it ruining your home and belongings!
Weatherproof Your Home
If you have a leaky roof, a drafty window, or an outdated heating system, it's time to get the work done. A few hours of work could be all it takes to save your home from the harsh winter months. It's important to take care of these issues now so that you don't end up paying more when they worsen and cause more damage later on. Call in a contractor if you need help or want someone to give you a quote!
Heat Up Your Floors
One great way to keep your home warm in the winter is by heating up your floors. If you are not sure how, here are a few tips to get you started.
- Invest in a quality mat. The thicker and more dense the mat, the better it will be at insulating your floor.
- Choose an area that won't affect your energy bill too much (e.g., in front of your fireplace).
- Set it up so that the mats can cover about 20% of the floor's surface area.
- Run them on high for about 15 minutes and then turn them off when they have warmed up enough to feel comfortable underfoot.
Insulate Your Windows
Window insulation is a simple and inexpensive way to keep your home warm during the winter. Some people take it a step further by wrapping their windows in plastic sheeting. This not only helps insulate the house, but also protects window surfaces from frost and ice buildup. If you plan on going this route, make sure that you buy heavy-duty plastic sheeting designed to cover windows and doors.
Insulate Your Water Heater
Insulating your water heater is an important step in winterizing your home. The pipes to your water heater will be freezing over and it can lead to costly repairs. You can insulate your water heaters by wrapping a towel, blanket, or fiberglass insulation around the pipes. It's also important to insulate anything that runs through the attic as well such as ventilation ducts and plumbing lines.
