Winter is a lovely season, but it can also be harsh, bringing cold weather, storms, and potential damage to your property. Whether it is freezing temperatures, ice, snow, or something else, the price of winter damage to a property may be costly. If you want to protect your house in the colder months, you must take the necessary steps. Here are a few you can consider.
Examine the branches of trees closer to your house
Examine your property for branches that have grown over your home, garage, driveway, or power lines. Those might fall during a storm and do significant damage. Branches touching against each other might also cause breakage. Look for dead limbs that remain connected to the tree, smooth patches where the bark has been removed, or sites where mushrooms have developed.
Do well to insulate all your pipes
Any open pipe that is placed on a wall or is in an unheated location, such as a basement or crawlspace, poses a risk of causing common winter plumbing problems. When temperatures fall below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the water inside the pipe might freeze, causing it to rupture. Therefore, pipe insulation can easily safeguard them. It looks like a giant spaghetti with a slit and may be purchased at any hardware shop. Cut it to length, wrap it over the pipe, and fasten it with duct tape if necessary.
Replace the caulking around your window and doors
Re-caulk your windows and doors yearly to avoid water damage and heat loss. A caulk gun is affordable, and the job can generally be completed in a few hours. To be clear, you should only caulk the outer edge of the molding around your windows and doors. Harsh temperatures impact exterior silicone caulk less, so it will not shrink and expand as seasons change.
Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans
Since warm air rises, reversing the direction of each of your ceiling fans will generate an updraft, which will force down the warm air pressed against the ceiling of your room. By circulating heated air, you can save money on electricity. Even if you do not have any rooms with high ceilings, rotating the direction of your fan as soon as the weather changes is a good idea. Turn it off and click the button above the blades to do this. If you have a remote-controlled fan, you should be able to reverse the fan’s direction on the remote.
Examine your chimney
Even if you use your fireplace for decorative purposes, you will find it helpful to evaluate and clean your chimney before the cold season. This substance is very flammable and carcinogenic. When it gathers in your chimney, smoke might set it ablaze, resulting in a chimney fire. Inspecting and cleaning your chimney may keep your family and house safe, so keep this in mind.
Making plans for the colder months is essential for protecting your home. Hopefully, these tips will help you achieve the desired results.
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