How to Winterize a House

Snowmen are all around and there is a white veil over the roofs, the pavements, leaves, car windshields and any other surface on which snow can settle. Cold breeze sweeps over and you shiver even with all the winter gear on. Winters are definitely on and certainly enough, it is time to get some winter protection for the house. Be it a vacant home or an occupied one, getting your house geared up for winters is crucial to avoid damage inflicted by extreme temperatures. In case you are on a winter escapade to a warmer region and are going to leave the house empty in winters, you will need to know how to winterize a house. Presenting to you the same, ladies and gentlemen!

Winterizing Your Home

Before we begin, let me tell you that this is not an overnight endeavor. You are going to need at least a week or two or perhaps even more depending on how extensive is the task. Make a 'winterize your home checklist' including what all you will need to work upon for winterizing your house. It can be anything from getting the heating system back in shape to covering the windows and doors from the draft and insulation. So let's get on with the job.

Task 1
Insulation is one of the crucial things you will have to carry out before winters. For insulation of exterior outlets and switch plates, use an inexpensive foam sealing gasket. The hot water tank can be insulated using an insulating blanket available at a hardware store. For getting your fireplace in order, cut a piece of fiberglass insulation and then stuff it in the fireplace behind the glass doors. This will lead to blocking the cold air which is going to come down the chimney. Attic insulation will keep the heat inside the house and prevent the heat from leaving the house. Carefully check each designated attic insulation location and make sure it is properly fixed.

Task 2
The heating systems and cooling systems is another factor which is instrumental in maintaining the temperature of the house. So make sure that your home heating system is in order with the help of the following -

• Furnace maintenance
• Thermostat checking

Check for things like air filter, fuel in the furnace, heating vents and carbon monoxide leaks. Have a professional to do these things for you. Likewise also give a nice overhaul to the good old air conditioner. Cover the condensing unit and make sure that the condensing unit is free of debris. Another connected aspect is the fireplace and the chimney. So while winterizing a house, see if the chimney is free of any debris and unwanted material and check the chimney draft. Also check out the flue damper operation and make sure that the brick is in the fireplace. In short, thoroughly inspect the fireplace to see if it is in a proper place.

Task 3
Now when it comes to winterizing a house, you cannot forget that you will have to winterize your home windows. Using a rope caulk for sealing the windows is the best way to seal the windows. Install storm doors and windows for blocking the cold draft and increasing the energy efficiency by around 45%. You can even choose to tape plastic on the windows. Doors will be fine by just installing weatherstripping on them in areas of leakage.

Task 4
Make sure that the exposed piping on the exterior is well protected and insulated. At the least you can do is to install a foam insulation. If possible wrap them with electrical heating tape and then insulate. This is more so when it is about crawlspace, attic, outside walls, where sometimes pipes are not insulated. For the exposed faucets, drain the water from them and you can even insulate the hose bibb. Do not forget to disconnect the garden hoses and the like. Another thing you can do is add plumber's anti freeze to the toilet tank, toilet bowl and all the drains. You will also need to know about how to winterize a sprinkler system.

In addition to this, while winterizing a house, you can check all the heating and air conditioning ducts and the likes, basement waterproofing and insulation and any other part of your house. Doing all these things will help make yours an energy efficient home as well keep your house warm. Oh! And have loads of winter clothing handy! That is where I will stop ranting winterizing your house! Ciao till next time!