5 Quick Fixes to Keep Your Home Warm This Winter

Winter is a magical time of year, but it can also be one of the coldest. The harsh winter weather can make your home feel like a freezer if you don't take the necessary steps to keep it warm. If you're tired of snow and ice piling up around your house, it's time to take some precautions. Here are five quick fixes that you can do to keep your home warm during the winter.

Install Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping is an affordable, easy-to-install option for sealing gaps around doors and windows. It can help prevent drafts and significantly reduce your monthly heating bills. You can pick up weather-stripping materials at any home supply store and apply them with minimal effort. This quick fix is perfect for homeowners looking for a simple way to keep their home warm without breaking the bank.

Seal Gaps in Your Home

Sealing gaps and cracks in your home is another easy way to keep the cold out. Use silicone caulk to fill any gaps in your walls, foundation, or roof, and use door draft stoppers to prevent cold air from seeping in. These measures will help keep your home cozy and comfortable throughout the winter.

Use Heavy Curtains

Heavy curtains are a stylish and effective way to keep your home warm during winter. Curtains can help insulate your home by keeping the cold and warm air out. They're also great for reducing noise and preventing drafts. Choose curtains with thick, thermal linings to ensure maximum warmth.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat is an excellent tool for managing your heating bills and keeping your home warm. These thermostats allow you to set the temperature according to a schedule so that your home is warm when you need it to be and cooler when you don't. You can also use the timer feature to turn off the heating when no one is home, saving you money on your monthly bills.

Use Rugs and Carpets

Rugs and carpets are not only cozy and comfortable, but they can also help to trap heat in your home. Thick, insulating rugs can provide an additional layer of warmth between your feet and the cold floor. This will help to keep your feet warm and, in turn, help to keep the rest of your body warm, too.

These five quick fixes are the perfect way to ensure your home is warm and inviting during winter. Whether you're looking to save money on your heating bills or simply want to create a cozy atmosphere, these tips will help. Remember that many of these are no substitute for a functioning heater, so if you need to call an HVAC or water heater repair professional, make sure you do so. Otherwise, do your best to enjoy the season!

5 Upgrades for Outside Your Home to Make the Winter Season Easier

Winter is a beautiful season, but it can also bring many challenges. Winter poses several obstacles to homeowners, from frozen pipes to slipping on icy sidewalks. But, with the right upgrades, you can make the most of winter while keeping the challenges at bay. This blog will share five exterior upgrades that will make your winter season easier.

Outdoor Lighting

Winter days are shorter than summer, which means it gets dark earlier, and many homeowners return home from work in the dark. This is a difficult time of year as snow and ice can be particularly hazardous in the dark. Installing outdoor lighting around your home is a great way to make sure you can see where you are going, and it also serves as a deterrent to burglars. You can install motion-detecting lights to ensure they only turn on when necessary, saving you money on your energy bill.

Heated Driveway

One of the biggest challenges of winter is shoveling snow from your driveway. You can make this task easier by installing a heated driveway. This upgrade will melt the snow and ice, making it easier and safer for you and your vehicle. A heated driveway is an excellent investment for those living in regions where snowfall is heavy.

Roof and Gutter Upgrades

When the leaves fall, they can clog gutters, causing ice dams, frozen gutters, and water damage. Moreover, snow accumulating on your roof can cause significant damage, even caving in under heavy enough snowfall. Upgrades such as installing gutter guards and seamless gutters, checking for roof leaks, and upgrading your weak trusses and rafters will ensure that your roof lasts for years to come.

Snow and Ice Melting Systems

One of the most challenging parts of winter is de-icing walkways and stairs. However, an ice-melting system could offer you long-term relief. This system primarily involves embedding heating elements into concrete or pavers that turn on to melt ice and snow. This way, you don’t have to worry about shoveling snow.

Fire Pits and Outdoor Heaters

Finally, when upgrading your exterior, you can make winter warm and cozy by installing fire pits and outdoor heaters. These will provide a warm, inviting space for your family and friends during winter. Fire pits, in particular, are a great addition that can be used all year round. Consider adding one to your backyard to create a cozy, warm atmosphere.

Winter can be challenging, but it is also a time to cozy up with your family, enjoy the holiday season, and rejuvenate. With these five exterior upgrades, you can make the most of the season and keep your home safe. From heated driveways to outdoor heaters, you can create a warm, inviting home that will help you enjoy the winter months to the fullest!

Plumbing Precautions to Prepare Your Home for Winter

Winter is a beautiful season with many wonderful aspects - the frosty mornings, snowfall, and the warmth of the holiday season. However, with these amazing moments come some unpleasant ones, like freezing temperatures, ice dams, and blocked pipes. As you brace yourself for winter, pay attention to your plumbing system, which is usually the most common target of the cold weather. Preparing your plumbing for the cold season might seem difficult, but following these simple precautions can save you the hassle of dealing with burst pipes, flooding, and other drainage issues.

Insulate Your Pipes

Since pipes are the most delicate part of your plumbing system, they require extra protection during the cold season. Before the winter sets in, ensure that you insulate your pipes using foam or rubber sleeves. The insulation helps keep them warm while minimizing the chances of freezing and bursting. Cover pipes in areas exposed to extreme cold, like the basement, garage, or outside the house.

Keep Your Home Warm

Maintaining a warm temperature within your house can go a long way toward preventing plumbing issues. During extreme winter, keep your temperature above 55 degrees to keep the pipes from freezing. Heating your house will also help melt any ice buildup in your pipes.

Regularly Inspect Your Gutters

Gutters are essential for directing water away from your house, but they can be susceptible to clogs and blockages during winter. Heavy snowfall combined with ice dams can cause ice to form within the gutter system, leading to water damage in your home. To prevent this, regularly inspect your gutters and ensure they are clean and free-flowing.

Maintain Your Hot Water Tank

Ensure that your hot water tank is working correctly. During winter, hot water demand grows, so it's critical to regularly service your hot water tank. This ensures that the unit works effectively and efficiently during the cold season. Contacting a contractor, such as Properly Done Rooter, can help keep you ahead of any potential breakdowns or failures of the tank. Additionally, you should check the temperature and ensure it's set between 120-125 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid scalding accidents while saving on energy expenditure.

Protect Your Outdoor Fixtures

Exterior plumbing systems are generally exposed to the elements during winter, leaving them prone to damage. Turn off your outdoor faucets and disconnect the hoses and other attachments, such as sprinklers. Also, if you have a pool or spa, drain the water and turn off the valve.

Preventing plumbing issues during winter requires preparation, vigilance, and maintenance. Insulating your pipes, ensuring your hot water tank is working properly, clearing your gutters, and protecting outdoor fixtures from the cold weather are some precautions to keep your plumbing working effectively during winter. Neglecting your plumbing during winter can result in significant issues, such as damage to your home or business, so pay attention to your plumbing and hire a professional plumber to inspect it. These precautions can prevent any plumbing problems and save you from significant costs.

The Importance of a Plumbing Inspection Before the Winter Freeze

As the weather starts to cool down and the winter season fast approaches, homeowners must ensure that everything is in order for the upcoming months. While hiring someone to inspect your HVAC system is common during this time, one thing that often gets overlooked is your plumbing. Keeping your plumbing in check is just as important as any other routine inspection, and it should not be ignored, especially when it comes to the winter season. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of a plumbing inspection before the winter freeze and how it can save you time, money, and stress.

Prevents Frozen Pipes

One of the most common problems that homeowners face during the winter season is frozen pipes. A plumbing inspection before the winter freeze can help detect potential problems with freezing pipes, and precautions can be taken to avoid any damage. By making necessary repairs and implementing insulation mechanisms, you'll be able to minimize the chances of a catastrophic event from occurring.

Saves Money

A little investment in a plumbing inspection can go a long way in saving your money. A simple leak detection test can easily identify hidden leaks, giving homeowners the chance to repair them before they cause further damage. What starts as a small plumbing issue can quickly turn into a significant problem, and delaying repairs will only increase the damage, consequently costing more money. By getting a plumbing inspection done before the winter, homeowners can save themselves from the hassle and expense of emergency repairs later on.

Ensures Water Quality

One of the purposes of a plumbing inspection is to ensure that the water quality is safe and free from contamination. Water pipes often have a buildup of rust and other impurities. Drinking water contaminated with these impurities can lead to significant health problems. Regardless of whether the property relies on the municipal water supply or a private well, a plumbing contractor can inspect the system and ensure that the water quality is up to standards, allowing homeowners to make sure that their water supply is safe for their families.

Increases Property Value

Regular maintenance checks like plumbing inspections can help increase the overall value of the property, especially if the homeowner is looking to sell their property in the future. Buyers are more likely to be interested in a property with regular maintenance checks and a good plumbing system. Additionally, this could also improve the homeowner's chances of getting a home insurance discount, as some insurance companies offer discounts for updated and well-maintained properties.

Scheduling a routine inspection of your plumbing before the winter freeze arrives is crucial, not just for the well-being of your property but also for your family's health. By detecting early plumbing issues, homeowners can save themselves from incurring additional and unexpected expenses. Keep in mind that regular maintenance checks can keep your property in excellent condition and potentially increase its overall value. Don't wait until the last minute to get your plumbing inspected; now is the time to prepare for the colder weather!