12/23/2022
Cold weather is coming, protect your families investment.
1. Tend to tree branches.
Winter storms can deposit heaps of tree branches onto your roof. These can then snap under the weight of snow or ice and they can cause damage.
2. Safeguard your exterior spigots.
Always disconnect and drain garden hoses after using the spigot in cold weather, and consider shutting off the valve inside the house to protect your pipes.
3. Clear out rain gutters.
To avoid costly structural damage, inspect and, if needed, clean your gutters before the first freeze.
4. Wrap exposed pipes.
Wrap insulation sleeves around pipes that run through unheated areas, such as attics and crawl spaces, to protect pipes from freezing.
5. Close crawlspace vents.
Helps reduce cold air flow moving in crawlspace . Reducing the likely hood of pipes freezing.
6. Seal gaps and other openings.
Sealing up gaps before the temperatures dip. Caulk opening and seal around window frames and door frames with weatherstripping.
7. Insulate walls and attics.
A properly insulated home enjoys evenly distributed warmth, increased indoor comfort, and energy savings. The most effective places to insulate are exterior walls, attics, and unheated garages.
8. Bundle up your water heater.
Consider wrapping it with a water heater insulation blanket designed to fit your size tank. They can reduce heat loss by 25 to 45 percent.
9. Focus on the fireplace.
Have a CSIA-certified chimney inspector give it a once-over before your first burn of the winter to eliminate creosote or obstructions that can spark chimney fires. Close the damper above the firebox to keep warm indoor air from escaping and cold air from entering the house through the chimney.
10. Reverse the direction of your ceiling fan blades.
Switch your ceiling fan direction so that it rotates clockwise and the blades push warm air down to you.