In just a few weeks, we will be bidding winter farewell and welcoming spring. But before the snow melts completely, it’s essential to prepare your house for the cold weather ahead. Winter can wreak havoc on your home if you don’t take precautions now. Here are ways to get your house ready for winter:
1. Check Gutters
If you have a problem with leaves or debris clogging up your gutters during fall, then this is an easy fix that should be taken care of as soon as possible. Make sure that all downspouts lead away from the foundation of your house and towards water-absorbing areas like wetlands or ponds. Debris in gutters can cause basement leaks and push water against your home’s foundation, which can lead to a host of problems.
2. Get Your AC Ready
If you live in a place that has cold winters, then your air conditioning system is bound to see some action during the colder months. However, if it’s not maintained correctly or isn’t working as well as it should (due to lack of cleaning), this could cause winter visitors like family and friends who come over to escape the harsh weather outside. You can schedule an appointment with Custom Home Builders Lake Anna.
3. Insulate Your Pipes
If you live in a house that’s more than 30 years old, then your plumbing system might not be as efficient as you’d like it to be. In fact, according to the U.S Department of Energy, leakage from water supply pipes can account for up to 14% of your home’s total energy loss. Custom Home Builders Lake Anna team recommends installing insulation on exposed outdoor and indoor plumbing pipe sections where temperatures often drop below freezing. Several products are available for this purpose, including fiberglass sleeves and pre-slit foam tubing wrapped around each area separately. You can also conserve heat by insulating any hot water lines under sinks near exterior walls since these pipes are more likely to be affected by cold air.
4. Keep Your Dryer Ready
Custom Home Builders Lake Anna team recommends having your dryer vent cleaned once a year to prevent lint accumulation, which can reduce airflow and affect the performance of your machine. Other things you should check are the rubber or metal seals that line where the exhaust hose attaches to either your home’s exterior wall or roof. Cracks in these areas cause heat loss during operation and allow moist air (and possible mold) into your house when running high-heat cycles like those used for drying bedding after washing.
5. Inspect Your Roof
A properly maintained roof can help prolong the life of your home. Lake anna custom homes recommend having a professional inspect your roof at least twice a year for loose or missing shingles, cracks in the flashing, and other signs of damage that could cause problems during winter’s heavy storms. If you’re not sure how to fix any problem spots yourself, the Custom Home Builders Lake Anna team is here to help.
6. Test Your Carbon Monoxide Detector
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that can prove fatal when inhaled. This means you need to make sure your CO detector never fails during the winter snow season. New Construction Homes near Lake Anna recommends testing it monthly and replacing batteries at least once every year or as needed. It would help if you inspected all connections for signs of corrosion between components like wires and battery terminals since this could cause problems in detecting dangerous carbon monoxide levels. If any part appears worn out or damaged, consider replacing it with an AC electronic model, which lasts longer than other types before needing replacement parts.
7. Check Your Heating System
Suppose you plan to install a new heating system this year. In that case, New Construction Homes near Lake Anna recommends purchasing one with an energy-efficiency rating of at least 80% AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency). This is the most common standard used by U.S manufacturers and indicates how efficient your heater is when converting fuel into heat over its lifetime. In fact, according to EnergyStar.gov, units meeting or exceeding these standards can reduce carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels by about 50% compared to less efficient models. If it’s time for a replacement instead, remember that high-efficiency furnaces generally require different types of vents than older systems, so be sure everything fits before installation begins.