The cold weather will soon be upon us and there’s a list of things that you need to do to prepare your home. Your house needs to be ready for winter so you and your family can stay safe and warm during the cold season. We have a list of things that you can do to make sure that your house is in the best condition and can withstand the challenges that come with the winter season.
Check the Pipes
Water has the tendency to expand when it freezes, regardless of where they are located. If there’s water trapped inside the pipes, this will expand causing the pipes to crack or worse, burst. It is highly recommended that you leave the faucet open and dripping during the winter season to prevent the buildup of pressure inside the pipe. If you have sprinkler systems and outdoor faucets, drain the water from them. Outdoor hoses should be disconnected, stored, and covered with foam insulators. Take note of where the main water switch or shutoff valve is so you can easily turn off the water if ever there is an emergency.
Monitor the Heat
The only chance you have at ensuring your family will be warm during winter is before the weather turns cold. Take a look at your furnace and see if it is operating properly. Turn on the heat and the blower to check if it does make the house warm. Your Filter Connection
recommends that the furnace filters be changed before the winter season begins and offers discount furnace filters in packages that contain more than one filter. Most manufactures recommend a 90 day interval for changing filters but your home’s air may be more polluted if you smoke or have feathery and furry pets. When filters are clogged, not only will the air you breathe be dirtier than outside air but your home HVAC system motor will need to work harder to push air through the filter. That could lead to expensive maintenance and having a very cold house for till a repair specialist can visit, which you don’t want to happen during winter. Also, make sure that you get the right during replacement.
Seal the Doors and Windows
It will be difficult for you to keep your house warm during winter if there are gaps around the doors and the windows. Inspect these spaces and install weather stripping when necessary. If your windows and doors are a bit old, it may be best to upgrade them to double or triple-pane windows. You may also want to consider having insulated doors installed to boost not just the energy efficiency but also the warming capacity of your home.
Come up with a plan and discuss this with your family so they can help prepare your house. The car has to be prepared for the cold season, too, so divide the tasks among each family member. Winter can be fun what with everything turning into a beautiful shade of white and all, but it can also be dangerous so be prepared. Keep your kitchen cabinets and refrigerators filled with food to lessen the trips to the grocery.
