Do you live in an area where it snows heavily? Or maybe you live in a warmer climate where winters are just rain and rain? Whatever the case, no one likes living in a home that isn't ready for the colder seasons. This is especially the case if you plan to move into a new home before winter. Your new house will need to be properly checked and winter-proof before you move in. Here are some tips to help make your home winter-ready.
Essential home maintenance and renovations
Home renovations can be costly and time-consuming. But they are essential if you want to have a cozy holiday season. You should especially pay attention to this if you are planning to move into a new home in winter.
However, moving during snowy or rainy weather is usually not a good idea. Your belongings will need to be water-proofed, for starters. Additionally, the roads are more likely to be dangerous for travel.
This is why the experts at nextstopmoversraleigh.com advise moving before the cold season arrives. In case that is unavoidable, hiring professional movers is a safe option. Many moving companies have water-proof covers for your furniture to keep it safe during the move. They also have professional drivers who can handle challenging driving conditions. However, you will still need to make your home winter-ready before moving in.
An important advice
If you don't have any experience with renovation and other housework, you should consider hiring professionals. Having a professional do the work for you will save you time and maybe your life. Trying to DIY things like livewires is extremely dangerous when you don't have any experience. Additionally, you might accidentally create even greater damage rather than fixing it. Licensed professionals are there, so you don't have to risk injury and can make your home winter-ready much faster.
Check your chimneys
Chimneys are left forgotten during warmer seasons. We only pay attention to them when the time comes to stoke the fireplace. Your chimney can get clogged with flammable materials throughout the year. Using such a chimney is extremely dangerous and can cause a house fire. This is why it is essential to sweep your chimney clean.
Insulate your water pipes
A water pipe that is exposed to cold weather can cause the water inside to freeze. This can cause the pipe to burst and spill water everywhere. This is why insulation is so important. It keeps your pipes warm enough, so the water flowing through them doesn't freeze. Exposed pipes are usually found in basements and crawl spaces. Check for any uninsulated pipes and give them proper care.
Check the roof and the gutters
Your roof suffers a lot of weather damage throughout the year. A leaky roof is one of the worst things you can have during winter. Clean all the clutter that has gathered on it and inspect the tiles. Some roof tiles might need replacement before winter arrives.
This is also a great time to check your gutters. Just like your chimney, the gutters can get cluttered. Leaves that fall during the autumn can pile up and clog your drainage system. The last thing you want is to have to unclog your drainage system in the middle of a cold stormy night.
Stow the out-of-season items
Summertime is over this year. The things we won't be using should be put away for the season. We will not need our beach balls, flippers, or camping gear during winter. So now it would be a great time to make room in your house.
The bulky things, such as camping gear, should be adequately packed and put away for the season. Knowing how to pack and store camping gear and other bulky items will save you a lot of room in your garage or basement. Check around your house for other things you won't be using for a while.
Check for drafty windows to make your home winter-ready
Having drafty windows that let in the cold will keep your home cold. You will be wasting a lot of fuel and energy trying to keep your home warm. Check all the windows for drafts and adequately insulate them. Insulation tapes for windows are an easy and cheap way to keep the cold out. To check for drafts, you can hold a lit candle near the windowsills and baseboards to see if the flame flickers. A flickering flame indicates the window is letting the cold through.
Check your electricity consumption
Winter is when we spend much more electricity than in warmer seasons. We must keep our homes heated and spend more time inside overall. A lot of electrical devices are turned on for a much longer time.
One way to prepare for the winter is to check if you can reduce your electricity consumption. You can turn off the devices you don't use all that often. Another thing you can do is get LED lights which consume much less energy than regular light bulbs. Look around your home and see how you can save a few bucks on your electricity bill.
Prepare your trees for the winter
If you have large trees in your yard, you should check their health. Look for rotten or unhealthy branches. Trees also become very brittle in winter, and their branches break much easier during rough weather. This can cause significant damage to your house if a larger branch falls on top of it. Check the trees around the yard and trim the weak branches looming too close to your home.
Conclusion
Coming back to a cozy and warm home after a long winter's day at work is one of the most pleasant feelings. However, some work needs to be put in beforehand. Now you know some of the key ways to make your home winter-ready.