
Photo by Mira Kemppainen on Unsplash
Winter is almost here. So if you haven’t made any arrangements to winter-proof your home, it’s not too late. Many people underestimate the importance of making their home winter ready.
Yet, when their heating fails in the middle of an extremely powerful winter storm, they start panicking. Don’t be one of those people. With climate change and all, you never can tell how extreme the weather might get every season.
Seasons may last longer than usual, and their effects might be more severe. Therefore, don’t be caught off-guard. Make sure your home is adequately prepared for all potential winter hazards. Here’s how:
Start With Your Heating
Your heating is the most vital thing in your home during the winter. Without it, you could freeze to death. So, make sure that your heating is optimal and in great shape.
Have a heating specialist take a look at your heating system and carry out any routine maintenance that you need. This way, your heating system won’t surprise you by packing up in the middle of an arctic blast.
If you decide to put it off till the middle of winter, not only will the HVAC specialist charge more for coming out in inclement weather, they may not be able to get to you on time. Therefore, you might as well just do it now.
Look for Air Leaks and Drafts
Your heating system will run more efficiently if there are no air leakages in the house. Therefore, check the weather stripping in the home. Caulk and seal any leakages so there’s no draft.
This is important because the heating system often has to work extra hard to keep the home warm when there are leakages. This often translates to higher energy usage and expensive utility bills.
On the contrary, a properly sealed home without any leakages will often pay 5-10 percent less on their energy bills.
Clean the Chimney
If you haven’t had your chimney cleaned, now is the best time to do it, before the first winter burn. Cleaning the chimney helps get rid of creosote –this is a sooty material that can cause fires- and remove all flammable obstructions in the chimney that can start flames.
And get adequate firewood if you still use the traditional fireplace. If you use the modern gas-powered fireplace, then you should make sure that your gas supply line is in great shape, and has no leakages.
Make Sure the Gutters are Cleaned
The average home builder always includes gutters in every home because homes need a way to carry off runoffs away from the home. However, when these gutters are blocked, they can cause water and ice to flow off the edges, leading to slippery surfaces, and causing damages to the roof.
Cleaning out the gutters, particularly after the autumn will help ensure that they are clogged again before winter arrives. If you want to be extra sure, install gutter guards. These will leave the channels completely free for runoffs during the winter.
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