What comes after Fall? Winter and colder temperatures. I don’t know about you but sweaters are out, warm fuzzy throws are everywhere (at least where my wife sits) and now with an elderly parent living with us, our thermostat is bumped up about 8 degrees! You can’t wrap your house in a parka or a fuzzy throw, but you can take steps to help keep your home warmer in the winter. Here are a few tips for being ready in the winter:

• Check your windows for air gaps/leaks. This one is easy. Do your curtains move mysteriously on their own on a windy day? You can avoid this by checking the caulk or seals on the outside of the window. On the inside, check around the moulding for air coming in. You may need to have someone remove the moulding and check to be sure there is proper sealing and insulation. Another issue may be the window itself has warped or doesn’t shut properly. You may need to replace them or if it is cost prohibitive, you can temporarily seal them with window film from any big box store.
• Insulation: Do you know how much insulation you need for your climate zone? Most homeowners don’t, but it is easy to check. Locate your attic access and with a flashlight look to see if there is enough insulation. Sometimes you can simply look and tell but sometimes you may need to actually measure the depth of the insulation. Here is a link to help you: Insulation Institute
• I always have to add this one in because notoriously homeowners forget. Be sure to remove any hose pipe you may have attached to an outside faucet. When the temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, water freezes. If you still have your hose pipes connected to the outside faucet, the water can freeze inside the spigot and potentially cause the pipe to burst inside of your home. You can also install a spigot cover to help insulate it from cold and freezing rain. 

So are you winter ready? These tips will help keep your home safe and cozy during the cold winter months and prevent potentially costly repairs come spring. Doing a thorough home inspection on your own seasonally is helpful. Of course, you can always call a professional like us; but these simple tips will help! Enjoy the holidays!