When preparing your home for the winter months, you need to fix the flaws while the weather is still warm. Your house may be in good shape, but even the smallest flaws can quickly escalate into a major and costly problem when the colder months start. Finding all the little repairs around a house can be an overwhelming project. If you don’t know where to begin, start with these home repairs before winter comes around.
Have Your Furnace Checked
Heating technicians will check your furnace and calibrate the system so it will run in perfect condition during the winter months. Furnaces are expensive to replace, and you should schedule a furnace tune-up every year before winter as preventative maintenance to extend the life of your furnace.
Caulk and Weatherstrip Windows and Doors
When you turn on the heat, check windows and doors for air leakage. Tightly shut all windows, chimney flues, and exterior doors. Turn on fans that exhaust to the outside, like your clothes dryer and bathroom fans. Light a match or lighter and hold it near windows and exterior doors. Seal accordingly with silicone caulk or, for larger gaps, use neoprene or foam weatherstripping.
Seal Basement Leaks
Before winter rolls around, it is recommended to check your basement’s interior foundation. According to American Leak Detection, basement leaks are a common household occurrence whenever there is any build-up of moisture outside, which can affect your interior foundational walls. There are ways to quickly seal your basement walls and prevent these leaks from occurring this winter season.
Pinpoint the area of the leak and determine if anything other than moisture from outside may be causing the leak. Start by removing any excess water in the area. Then, clean any mold, mildew, dirt, or debris from the area. After the area has been prepared and cleaned, apply two layers of sealant to the wall. One layer should be applied with a nylon or polyester brush, and the other can be applied with a regular brush or roller. Let the sealant dry, and your interior walls will be ready for winter.
Change the Ceiling Fan Direction
In colder months, you do not want air blowing downward. Flip the switch on the side of your ceiling fan that changes its direction, so that air now flows upward. Your fan direction in winter needs to be clockwise to create an updraft and circulate warm air around the room. The ceiling fan direction in summer should be counterclockwise to help create a downdraft, which creates that direct, cooling breeze.
Winterize Water Pipes
Exposed hot water supply pipes are energy vampires. Consider adding pipe insulation around hot water pipes to reduce the need to create more hot water in the water heater, thus saving money. Soft neoprene insulation is best, but it is more expensive than foam.
Repair Brick Mortar
If any portion of your home consists of bricks, searching for small repairs within your brick mortar is an important step to take when preparing your home for winter. The bricks keep outdoor conditions from seeping in or slipping out of the cracks. Brick mortar can only be reapplied during warm and dry weather conditions, so you should look it over before the cold weather moves in. Repairing brick mortar is an easy task that can be done without the help of a professional.
Seal Your Driveway
Sealing your driveway not only protects it from a variety of elements, including automotive fluids and ice but also keeps it looking great all year long. Sealing your driveway also increases its lifespan by preventing cracks, as well as the overall breakdown of the asphalt material. Fall is the perfect time to seal your driveway and it will be fully protected before the colder temperatures begin. Before you seal the driveway, you should thoroughly clean it with a leaf blower, asphalt degreaser, and pressure washer. Then apply the sealant and spread it around with a squeegee tool or large broom. Two layers of the sealant should be applied before being left alone to dry.
By checking your windows, and exterior doors for air leakage, you could save money on your heating bill this winter. Some repairs are too large for homeowners and they need a professional service for repairs. If you are looking for a construction company for home repairs or home remodeling, contact Albrite Building today at 630.655.9436. We are located at 777 Oakmont Lane, Suite #50, Westmont, Illinois.