Winter is coming! As the cold weather approaches, there are plenty of things you can do to ensure your home stays warm and protected this season. Check out these home maintenance tips that will help you save money and prevent damage to your Darling home this winter.
Protect Pipes from Freezing
Some homeowners like to turn their heat down when they leave the house to reduce their electric bill. However, you may not want to turn it down too much, since the heat helps prevent your pipes from freezing. Make sure your pipes are not exposed or vulnerable by wrapping them in insulation. If your pipes do end up freezing this winter, make sure to call a plumber as soon as possible.
Inspect the Fireplace and Chimney
If your home comes with a beautiful fireplace to enjoy during those cold winter days and nights, it’s important to maintain it properly. Before lighting a fireplace with a flue, make sure your fireplace and chimney are clean and free of any hiding critters. Keep the flue closed all the way when you’re not using it to prevent warm air from escaping your home.
Seal Windows and Doors
Warm air from the inside of your home can easily escape through gaps around windows and doors. To prevent this, seal gaps around windows with caulk and install weather stripping around doors. This small task is inexpensive and can even help you save money on heating costs this winter.
Prevent Ice Dams on Roofs
When heat escapes through the roof, it can melt snow that has landed on the roof. When this happens, ice dams can form from the melted snow and refreeze on your roof’s edge. When this ice eventually melts, sometimes it doesn’t have anywhere to go but through your roof, damaging the inside of your home. Here are a few simple steps that will help you avoid this:
- Clean out clogged gutters to keep water flowing during winter.
- Seal areas around vent pipes, exhaust fans, chimneys, and light fixtures to prevent warm air from leaking to your attic.
- Install a heat cable along the eaves to melt ice. This is something you may want to hire a roofer to do.
- Add more insulation to your attic floor.
Stock Up on Cold-weather Essentials
If ever a power outage were to occur, you’d want to be prepared. Make sure your family is ready for any unexpected weather by having these cold-weather items on hand:
- Fire extinguisher
- An alternative heat source like a generator or wood-burning stove
- Sand, ice melt, and a shovel
Now you can enjoy your Darling Dallas or Darling Houston home without worry that the winter weather will damage it.
