Quick Fixes to Help Your Home Beat Winter Weather
November 21, 2017
Between rain, wind, snow and ice, winter can be a tough on a home. And while unfortunately there’s nothing you can do about the weather, you can follow some simple steps to make this winter a little more comfortable, for you and your home.
Clean Your Gutters
Gutters help carry water away from your home, protecting your siding, windows, and foundation from damage. With more precipitation during winter, this is the most important time to ensure your gutters are doing their job. You may need to pull that ladder out of the garage to clean the gutters, so please practice general ladder safety. If the ground is very soft under your ladder, place a board down to keep the ladder stable. Always use three points of contact on a ladder, and never lean to the side. Of course, you could always hire someone to clean your gutters for you. To estimate the price for your home, keep in mind that a two-story 2,500 square-foot home with 200 linear feet of gutters will cost anywhere from $100 to $250 but will of course vary depending on where you live.
Reverse Your Ceiling Fans
We all remember that hot air rises, right? In the winter months, keep your home feeling nice and toasty by making sure your fans are running in a clockwise direction. This helps push warm air away from the ceiling where it naturally rises to. You may even be able to turn the thermostat down a few degrees!
Tackle Drafts A Few Ways
Windows and doors are key points for cool air to sneak into your home. Drafty doors and windows can be mitigated in a few different ways. For a simpler approach, consider a good old fashioned draft snake for doors. These stuffed fabric tubes help block air from sneaking in around the bottom of your door. For windows, start by caulking any gaps where building materials meet. This mostly means between walls and windows or door frames but check chimneys, corners, and where any pipes or wires exit as well. The next step for windows is a window insulation kit. These kits are nearly invisible once installed and work by creating an extra pocket of air which creates a buffer against drafts.
Check Your Insulation
Insulation is one of the most important parts of your home. To help keep out the winter chill, make sure your insulation is placed effectively. Now, there’s not much you can do in a pinch for insulation in your walls, but you can quickly and easily check your attic and basement. Start by ensuring your attic floor is properly covered with insulation to prevent warm air from rising and escaping. Another key place to check is your basement ceiling. These two spots will help trap warm air in your living spaces, and keep cold air from getting in. Categories: home maintenance
Tags: home maintenance, Quick Tips, winter