Why not winter-proof your home right now, you could get a discount. You never know until you ask, right?
Why not winter-proof your home before the cold winter months arrive? This type of mindset influences homeowners to start thinking about what they can do to protect their homes this coming winter before the first blast of cold weather arrives. You don’t typically think of the fall season as the ideal time to winter-proof your home. However, it might not be a bad idea to start a home improvement project. That’s because most contractors have nothing but time on their hands this time of year. Traditionally contractors are busier during the spring and summer months when the weather is warmer and their schedules are completely filled. We have 5 home improvement projects that will help you winterize your home before the colder winter months arrive.
1.) Winterizing Your Gutters
Gutters that are damaged or clogged, and full of leaves and debris, can lead to ice formations and blockage. These elements can damage your roof, as well as your foundation. Also, substances such as mold and mildew start to form. Gutters should be tightly secured and firmly resting against the house. The gutters should be sloped for proper drainage. In addition, the downspouts should be cleared. If the downspout is clogged remove any debris so that any type of moisture can flow freely through the gutters and into the downspout.
2.) Insulate Your Hot Water Pipes
The winter months can be pretty severe. Temperatures consistently drop below freezing, so you need to preserve water pipes that are in unheated areas of your home, such as the attic and crawl spaces. Insulating hot water pipes can help you save water. Securely insulated water pipes that are protected by spray foam insulation shorten the time that’s needed to heat your hot water pipes, so the water flows more quickly through your fixtures.
3.) Purchase a Generator
It would be both inconvenient and uncomfortable for you and your loved ones to be stuck at home without power during a cold winter day or night. Perhaps it’s a wise idea to take action and invest your money in a backup generator. Buying the right generator for your home guarantees that you’re covered, and that you have enough power to survive a winter storm should the occasion arise.
4.) Insulate Under Frozen Floors
Cold floors and frozen toes are a huge problem that nobody wants to deal with during the long winter months. If the original flooring in your home is over fifty years of age it contains permanent gaps that expand and get wider during the winter months. That’s because as temperatures start to drop, the cold air drains the moisture from the wood itself. This causes it to shrink and for gaps to widen in the floor. To avoid this problem we recommend that you add insulation under the hardwood floors
If you are building a new house or having a major remodel done on your existing home, it will pay off in energy savings and increased comfort to have underfloor insulation installed. During the early phases of your home improvement project, the contractor should keep the space between the floor joists as clear as possible. Have drain lines, electrical wiring, and ductwork run below the bottom of the insulation so that a continuous layer of insulation can be installed.
5.) Insulate Your Crawlspace
Most homes in the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore Maryland metro area have a crawlspace. Crawlspaces are known for collecting moisture, mold, and dust mites. Even worse, cold contaminated air often finds its way into your home, producing poor indoor air quality. If you have a crawlspace that hasn’t been encapsulated your electric bills could potentially skyrocket. Crawlspaces that haven’t been encapsulated are also the primary reason why your floors are cold during the long winter months. Insulating the crawlspace area increases energy efficiency and prevents both mold and pests from entering the home.
