How to Winterize your Home Correctly – The frigid Winter cold in Illinois can cause serious damage to a lot of homes each year. While most people consider these Winter cold damages unavoidable, there are still many of ways to prevent them.
If you don’t act in time, cold temperature damages can cost you a lot of money in terms of your home insurance premiums and higher electric bills. A majority of these higher Winter costs could be avoided by planning in advance and taking preventive measures in terms of winter proofing your home. You do NOT want to lose your heating in the cold Winter months, so it is always to plan ahead. We recommend starting to prepare your home before the temperature drops below 50 degrees, usually around mid-fall give or take.
Walls and Exterior of your Home
One of the most important precautions you have to make is to make sure that the water from the rain or melting snow doesn’t reach the outside exterior structure itself by leaking through the exterior walls.
Check around your home thoroughly for any potential cracks in the walls. Pay the most attention to the areas surrounding your doors and windows, and make sure to keep snow out and off of these areas, since these are the most vulnerable parts of your home.
Caulking and weather-stripping your home windows in advance of Winter is also a good move in preparation for the cold weather ahead.
The Roof of your Home
First, check for any loose roofing tiles, and replace and/or repair them as needed in advance. Second, take a good look at your homes guttering. The influx of fallen Fall time leaves can pile up and cause blockage of water. 3rd, always try and remove the biggest icicles as much as you can.
If there are any trees close to your home, check if the tree branches can pose any threat to the roof should they break and fall off. Partially frozen raindrops can freeze quickly and form thick layers of ice on your trees. The weight of the trees can then easily cause the branches to break off. If for some reason your neighbors trees are on your property, simply ask them to cut any branches to avoid any issues.
Pipes Inside and Outside of your Home
The most common occurrence that occurs in the cold Winter months is the freezing of your pipes. First off, make sure non of your taps are dripping and they are all sealed properly.
Second, check the lagging on all of your pipes, especially those which are found in areas that remain unheated during the winter months, such as a loft.
Third, check if your pipes have any leaks. The best way of doing this is by turning off every faucet and valve before checking your water meter. Wait 2-3 hours and then check again.
If the number goes up, you definitely have a leak and will eventually cause you issues. Even a small leak can turn into a real mess in the blink of an eye. If you experience any leakage it is always best to seek out a professional plumbing company to help with frozen pipe issues.
Prepare for the Worst
Nobody wants their home soaked in the middle of the freezing winter, especially not by the pipes of the heating system, so it is always a good idea to call an expert plumbing company for advice even before the winter comes.