Winter can be very tough on a home, especially if you’re not prepared. The last thing you want to do is go into the kitchen, turn on the water, and see … nothing. That’s because the pipes are frozen. It’s important that you winterize your home… and that is far more than just learning how to prevent frozen pipes. Here are some other things that you should keep in mind:
Check Your Gutters
If there’s water in your gutters, it can turn into an ice dam, which will create a lot of problems with your home. Clear those gutters and put gutter guards on them. Also, make sure your attic is nice and warm and well ventilated. Your attic should be roughly 10 degrees warmer than it is outside.
Seal Cracks
If you have cracks in your home, that can let cold air in. That will make your heater work a lot harder than it should, which can drive up your energy bills. By making a concerted effort to seal those cracks with caulking, you can keep the cold air outside and the warm air inside your home where it belongs.
Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
This one is especially important because you’re going to spend almost the entirety of the season with your windows shut. That means that you’re going to be relying on the ventilation system to properly direct the flow of things from your house to outside. If there’s a leak, then you’re going to be in serious danger of carbon monoxide poisoning, and that could be deadly.
Avert that by having a carbon monoxide detector in your home. It will alert you that there is dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. Even if it doesn’t go off, if you have a sudden headache or feel extra sleepy, open the windows and get a professional to come inspect the place for the source of the carbon monoxide.
Prevent Slips and Falls
You don’t want to have to go to the emergency room or bring a family member there after a tumble on the ice. The injury could be as mild as a sore bottom or as severe as a head injury. Prevent that from happening by stocking up on de-icing salt, and be sure to immediately clear a pathway if it snows. Also, wear the proper footwear with the right traction. All of that will help you stay steady on your feet.
Get an Emergency Pressure Release
Perhaps, despite your best efforts, the pipes froze. You don’t want the pressure of that frozen water damaging your pipes. That’s why you should have an expert install this so that you can be sure to keep your pipes functioning as they should.
Have Your Heating System Inspected
You don’t want your heater to lose its effectiveness on one of the coldest days of the year. Have an expert come inspect it so that it will be ready for the winter. You’ll be able to relax in a warm room and know that your heater is functioning just like it should.
It’s important that you do a good job of winterizing your house. Otherwise, you could find that you’re paying a lot for repairs, whether it’s in the spring when things thaw out or even during the winter. You especially don’t want to be without heat during the most frigid days. That will make the season miserable rather than wonderful.
All things considered, you don’t have to spend a lot of money making sure that your place is winterized. It’s more of a time investment, and it’s good to do it while the weather is warmer, before the calendar flips to the colder months. You’ll find it to be worth it when you and your family are spending the winter in your nice, safe home.
