Protect and Seal Your Home--brrrrr!

Last year’s winter was long and cold (to those of us who like sunny warmth) and temps this week are LOW! Prepare your home now to save on energy bills and to avoid damage.

Here are some simple and eco-friendly ways to winterize your home’s interior and exterior without flattening your wallet.

Your Home’s Interior

1. Add extra insulation. You don’t want too much heat to escape through the attic because it can cause ice or snow on your roof to melt then refreeze, which has the potential of damaging the roof. Keeping rooms well insulated can even keep pipes from freezing.
2. Service heating system. In order to prevent fire or smoke damage, make sure you have any furnaces, boilers or chimneys serviced annually. This is typically quite inexpensive, costing around $150/year. They will come service your A/C unit each spring, also.
3. Emergency pressure release valve should be installed in your home’s plumbing system. This is crucial because it provides protection against increased pressure by freezing pipes. Without this emergency pressure release valve, your pipes could burst.
4. Keep your home warm. Your thermostat should be set at 65 degrees at the least. It will keep you cozy, too! If you go out of town, do not turn it down much lower. It will protect your pipes.
5. Have a plan B. If you have a power outage, it’s important that you’re prepared and have a back-up power source. A portable generator will do the trick.

Your Home’s Exterior

1. Install gutter guards. In addition to cleaning your gutters, you should also install gutter guards to prevent debris from getting in and blocking water from flowing away from the house and into the ground.
2. Seal exterior cracks. You can prevent cold air from seeping into the house by using caulk to seal around any wall openings. It’s also recommended that you apply weather stripping around windows and doors.
3. Storm windows. You’ll stop warm air from leaking outside by installing or re-installing storm windows in the attic.
4. Insulation film should be applied over windows to reduce drafts of cold air.
5. Trim trees and dead branches. If the trees around your home are not trimmed, there is a greater chance that the branches will freeze and break off, which can cause damage to your home or car.

Follow these tips for a cozy and damage-free winter. Check your local Lowe's or Home Depot for supplies or to get advice. I can also recommend some specialists in these areas. Now is the perfect time to begin your preparations!