We are about to start winter and the weather outside is a real sign of it. It’s getting colder and we can expect rain, snow and ice in the next few weeks. So that you are not unpleasantly surprised by the bad weather, you have to winterize your house. You need to prepare your four walls for winter before the cold weather arrives. Today we want to give you 5 practical tips so that wintering is not difficult for you. Take the time now to prepare your home, garden and all outdoor equipment for the cold winter months. Then you can be sure that you and your loved ones will survive the cold winter of 2022/23 warm and cozy and save yourself costly repairs later. Here you will find practical steps that will reduce your heating costs. It can hardly be denied that you will feel comfortable at home in the coming months, even in cold temperatures.
You can winterize your house and keep it warm.
Important tips for winterizing your house – what should you definitely do?
Preparing your home for winter goes beyond storing all your gardening tools or your mower. To help you tick off the most important to-dos, we are sharing the following 5 tips to prepare your home for the coming winter season.
How to winterize your home:
Start your to-do list by checking the condition of the roof and making any repairs.
If necessary, you need to hire a handyman.
Tip 1. Winterize the house: Check the condition of the house roof
One of the first tasks is to check the condition of the roof. If you notice one or a few vulnerabilities there, then you’d better remove the corruption immediately. Then cleaning your gutters is on the to-do list. In cold weather it is a must that the gutters and downspouts are cleaned and working properly. This can help you avoid problems with the gutters clogged by fall leaves. It could happen that during the first heavy rain, the water flows onto the house facade instead of through the downpipes. The consequences of this can cost you a significant amount of money. Even if you don’t live in a place that doesn’t snow a lot in winter, winter can bring a lot of rain. That’s why it’s always useful to keep your house roof, gutters and downspouts in good condition and free of fallen leaves.
The gutters need to be cleaned of fall leaves and other small particles before winter.
When it rains, the rainwater should flow down directly through the downpipes.
Tip 2. Turn off water outdoors
Most houses have water taps outside in the garden. These are used to water lawns and flower beds in summer. But the last thing you want in the middle of winter is a burst pipe. To avoid this scenario, take precautions. You have to shut off the water supply and in this way winterize your faucets. If possible, shut off water to outside faucets and open valves to drain water. It would be best if you remove the outer hoses and put them in the garden shed or in the basement. Don’t leave anything outside in sub-zero temperatures! Your water pipe in the garden is an area that you need to give enough attention to before winter and not save at the wrong end.
In late autumn, all hoses and other irrigation equipment should be moved to a dry place.
Find time to drain hoses, sprinklers, pressure washers, and all other equipment and irrigation equipment. Make sure the water in it doesn’t freeze and cause costly repairs in the spring. Store all equipment well protected from the elements. This will definitely save you a lot of money because you won’t need new ones next year!
A well-heated home is a cozy and welcoming place in winter.
Tip 3: Your heating must work perfectly in winter
Houses are heated in different ways – with a fireplace, stove, floor heating or central heating with gas. No matter what exactly your case is, the heating must work properly in winter. Because every house has to be warm and cozy even when the temperature outside is below zero. So check your heating system and winterize your home! For example, the following problem could occur: If the radiators are not getting really warm, it may be because there is air in the pipe. In this case you will need a bleed key to remove the problem. However, it is better to leave major damage to the heating system to a specialist.
Extra tip: If you have a fireplace and don’t use it often, make sure the damper is closed to keep cold air out.
Winterize the house and check the heating system before winter
Have you sealed all the windows and doors at home?
Tip 4: Make the house winter-proof – seal windows and doors
When it comes to windows and doors, the process gets a bit more involved. You start by making sure everything is well sealed. This creates a seal to keep warm air in and cold air out. You should also check your home’s window insulation to make sure it doesn’t need to be replaced. You can add another layer of insulation if needed to keep the cold out of the house.
When it comes to doors, using a pull snake is recommended. This is simply a long piece of fabric filled with cotton or some other insulating material. This prevents drafts from getting under the door. It’s actually a simple way to winterize your home.
The doors should also be well sealed.
There are really simple tricks to seal windows and doors and winterize your own house.
Tip 5: Make the house winterproof: seal the garage door
You may think your garage is well suited to the upcoming temperature drop, but your garage door could be a weak point. It may not be well sealed, causing your garage door to let cold air into the house. Before the first frost comes, you can check the bottom gasket and make sure it’s sealing properly to the bottom. Also on the sides you need to check if they are sealed. Some garage doors are well insulated when they are installed. However, if that’s not the case for you, you have a solution to winterize your home. Obtain an insulation kit, which you can find at any local hardware store. Read the instructions carefully and get started! That’s not a difficult DIY project for a homeowner!
In principle, modern garage doors are sealed well during installation.
Start by removing the leaves from the gutters!
At home it has to be warm and cozy even when the temperature is below zero.
We wish you a pleasant winter full of warmth and coziness!
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