Winter might be a few months away, but if you don’t want to end up scrambling in a last-minute panic to make sure that your pipes don’t freeze, it’s better to start your winterizing efforts early. Here are just four ways to prepare your home for the upcoming chill.
1. Cover the Cracks
It only takes a small crack in your window or door frame for a draft to come rushing in. What’s more, your heat will escape through the same passageway, so you’ll be shivering <i>and</i> wasting power. Do yourself a favor and seal up all of your cracks. All it takes is a little caulk, and you’ll be good to go.
2. Insulate Your Pipes
There are many DIY solutions for freezing pipes, but at the end of the day, the only way to truly protect them is by insulating them. The good news is that this doesn’t have to be an expensive or time-consuming affair. A professional team can get it done in an afternoon or less, and you’ll never have to worry about your pipes bursting again.
3. Waterproof Your Basement
It might’ve been a simple leak in the summertime, but once winter hits, that water is going to freeze, crystallize and shatter all over your basement. It’s also going to cause all kinds of water damage with its free-thaw cycle if you aren’t careful. Look into basement waterproofing services Buffalo NY to keep this fate from happening to you.
4. Trap the Heat
Close the doors that lead to empty rooms and hallways. There’s no reason to heat a room when there’s no one inside it to enjoy the warmth. Keep your warm air trapped in places like the living room where you and your family spend the most time.
These are just a few ways to winterize your home. There are other steps that you can take, and it’s worth looking into them if you want your property to be a fortress against the cold, but these simple tips should be enough to get you started. Good luck!