Six Ways to Winterize
Your Home
Living in California has its perks and one of those perks is not having extreme weather conditions. However, we never know what Mother Nature has in store for us. We still have a few winter months ahead, so here are six things you can do to prepare your home if you haven't already:
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Plug Hidden Leaks
Cold air can enter your home in many ways. About 30 percent of the cold air that leaks into your home is through holes where pipes, vents, or electrical conduits run through walls, ceilings and floors. Start by checking under the sinks in your bathroom and kitchen, as well as in the basement for gaps around pipes. An insulating foam sealant should be applied to fill these gaps, or caulking can also be used for smaller areas. This not only helps minimize air loss, but also keeps critters out. - Wrap Pipes to Prevent Freezing On those really cold evenings or early mornings, there is a possibility of water freezing in your plumbing pipes. The pressure can cause these pipes to burst, which can be extremely costly to fix. Wrapping pipes with foam insulation is a quick and inexpensive fix to help avoid this nightmare.
 - Have Your Furnace Inspected Out of sight, out of mind, right? No one is thinking about the furnace when it's sunny and 90 degrees outside, but you'll be glad you did when you need to warm up your home. Schedule to have a professional check to make sure the fan belt is running correctly. They can also apply oil to the bearings and vacuum out dust and debris. Now is also the time to replace the filter. It's also a good idea to have a couple on hand so you can replace them before they become clogged.
- Make Your Windows Airtight Air leaking through windows in your home can mean almost literally "money out the window." If you have an older home with single-paned windows, consider replacing with new dual-pane windows. At a minimum, consider applying caulking around the window frames and weather-stripping between the sash and the window frame to help prevent air leaks.
- Add Insulation
Many homes don't have insulation in the attic. It is recommended to have a depth of 12 inches to keep the heat from escaping the home. There are options now that are eco-friendly, help prevent mildew, discourage pests and can impede fire. Good insulation can help your home feel more comfortable by stabilizing temperature and helping reduce exterior noises. -
Repair Ductwork Ductwork that is not well-connected and insulated can lead to a significant amount of lost heat and wasted money. Ducts can be found in the attic, basement and crawlspaces. Repairing any pinches and gaps will keep the heated air flowing at full capacity into the home.
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*This article was sourced from "Morgan Hill
Today" Magazine for which Dave is an article contributor. For a direct link to this informative magazine, click here. |
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