Leaves are falling, the days are getting shorter and stores are already pushing their holiday merchandise – cold weather is on its way. Is your home prepared? The winter season can be tough on a house resulting in mid-season repairs and high energy bills. A little preemptive work now can help save you money and headaches once the season is in full swing.
Here are 7 ways to get your home ready for winter:
Roofing
Your roof is about to get a cold weather workout, so now is the time to make sure it’s winter-ready. Remember that repairing and replacing a roof in February isn’t as easy as fixing the problem in October. Take a few minutes to contact your local roofing company, Colonial Contracting, Inc., to schedule a free inspection. It’s also a good idea to inspect your trees. Check for broken or precarious branches that may snap off and cause damage during a winter storm. Hire a professional to cut away those branches!
And after the leaves have fallen and before the snow appears, make sure your gutters and downspouts are clean and ready for any winter rain or slushy-mix. (Did you know that we clean gutters, too?)
Check Out All of Our Roofing Options Here
Windows
Winter wants in your house in the worst way and it loves to sneak in through the windows. You can lose about 10 to 25 percent of your home’s heat through your windows. Storm windows and doors are the big guns in the fight against winter weather, but if you don’t have storm windows, you can still winterize your home. First use caulking to seal up any holes and cracks on the outside. Then apply weather stripping and use a window insulation kit (installed with a hairdryer) to block the cold from the inside.
Looking to install storm windows? We can help. Click here to contact a Colonial Contracting, Inc. representative.
Pipes
“Piping hot” might not be a good thing. If water pipes are hot that means you’re losing heat. Safely touch your water pipes and see if they feel warm. If they do, use pipe insulation sleeves to wrap and blanket your pipes, trapping the heat inside where it belongs. These pre-cut sleeves are available at most home stores and are easy to install.
HVAC
Like a pro-athlete stretching before the big game, you need to prepare your heating system for the winter. Have an HVAC expert give your system an annual checkup, making sure the unit is ready for battle. Replace air filters, perform a safety check and ensure that all motors and blowers are running cleanly and efficiently. The best time to check and start your heating system is NOT the first day of a snow storm.
Ceiling Fans
Most ceiling fans have a switch to change the direction of the fan. Hit that switch, sending the blades in a clockwise rotation during winter and let your ceiling fan recirculate the warm air hiding at the top of your room.
Exterior Faucets
If your exterior faucets are prone to freezing, now is the time to install an anti-frost faucet, called a frost-free sillcock. The valve in these faucets is located inside the wall of your home, instead of outside where it can freeze up and cause the pipes to burst.
Winter’s cold hand is about to hit your house hard but with a little work now, you can spend the season safe and sound in a home that’s comfortable and efficient.
(Originally posted on CertainTeed on October 8, 2018, written by Dan Bergstein, edited for relevancy to Colonial Contracting, Inc.)
In Northern Virginia and looking for a roofing company near you? CLICK HERE for a free inspection today.
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