As Christmas approaches, you will want to keep your home warm and dry despite the inclement weather. The cold temperatures and snowmelt can damage your home throughout the winter, so you must plan in advance to avoid this problem. Here are some of the best tips from experts for protecting your home during the winter.
Check and Protect Your Home’s Plumbing Devices
Water pipes and plumbing fixtures tend to leak during the winter, so you must check these devices before the temperature drops. You should drain the exterior pipes completely before wrapping insulating tape around the items, and you may also want to insulate the interior pipes that are located in colder areas inside a home. Don’t forget to wrap your home’s water heater in a special insulating blanket to keep it warmer along with preventing any leaks from the holding tank.
Add Caulking around Your Home’s Windows and Doors
The moisture from rain, ice or snow can leak around your home’s doors and windows during the holidays, but it is easy to squirt liquid caulking around these items. It is better to add caulking on both the inside and the outside of your home, but you should apply the caulking material before the temperature declines during the holiday season. If you have single-pane windows, then you may want to install plastic film over the glass to keep your home warmer and drier.
Protecting Your Home’s Basement
When your home has a basement, it requires specialized care to keep it dry and warm. Professional basement waterproofing is one of the best choices that you can make for your home before the Christmas season begins. You may want to store holiday decorations or gifts in the basement, and if the basement is finished with bedrooms, then you will want to avoid any moisture problems while you have guests in your home.
Inspect and Maintain Heating Equipment
It is essential to inspect and maintain your home’s heating equipment during the winter. If warm air isn’t circulating in your home, then the moisture that seeps inside can damage the drywall or the wood paneling. Before turning on a furnace, you must inspect it and change its filter. After the furnace is turned on, walk through your home to verify that the vents aren’t covered with rugs or furniture.
Last, you should make sure that your home’s roof is in excellent condition to prevent massive water leaks throughout the holidays. Inspecting your own roof is a difficult chore, so you may prefer hiring a licensed roofing technician who will take photographs of any problems that require a repair.
