The weather is turning colder and snow flurries are starting to swirl. If you haven’t done it yet, better start thinking about winterizing your home. Below are the top 5 to-do’s we recommend in order to maximize the energy efficiency of your home and protect your home from the harsh winter elements.
- Seal gaps in doors and windows. This may be a no brainer, but if you can feel a gust of wind coming in from around windows or doors, be sure to seal everything up tight. Invest in some weather-stripping, plastic window covering or window insulation film, and polyurethane spray foam to close up all those heat-robbing gaps around windows and doors – and don’t forget the basement and attic. Look for gaps around the outside of your windows too, and fill them with caulk.
- Clean gutters. If you have trees growing out of your gutters, grab a stepladder and get those gutters clean before the first freeze. All of those leaves and debris will turn to ice. Add the weight of accumulating snow, and that weight will put extra stress on your gutters and fascia board – the wood to which your gutters are attached. Blocked gutters may also lead to ice dams. We highly recommend investing in gutter guards.
- Prevent ice dams. An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof that prevents melting snow and water from draining off the roof properly. Ice dams are often the culprit of roof leaks. You know if you have ice damming if you see large icicles hanging off the edges of your roof. Ice dams form because of uneven heat being applied to the roof from the inside of your home. Proper insulation and ventilation can go a long way to prevent ice damming, and therefore preventing potential roof leaks.
- Replace insulation. When is the last time you took a look around your attic at the insulation? Installing new insulation is one of the most cost-effective, budget-friendly ways to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Did you know that Remodeling Magazine rates new fiberglass insulation as one of the top investments when it comes to cost vs. value in home improvements?
- Replace old doors and windows. If there’s not a good, tight fit between your door and door frame you may want to consider replacing the doors.