7 Tips for Keeping Your Home Warm, Cozy and Problem-Free This Winter

Even though we’ve had an unusually warm start to Fall, we’re slowly coming to accept the fact that winter will be here soon. And while we know air leaks, loose roof shingles, and crumbling brick mortar don’t cause much concern when temperatures are mild, there is cause for concern when the temperature plummets. Extreme temperatures, mounds of snow, and icy winds can wreak havoc on the parts of our home that are showing some age or wear.

Because we want you to stay warm and cozy inside this winter—and not be troubled with unexpected problems—we’ve put together 7 Home Winter Preparation Tips for you.

We urge you to get a jump on them now so you don’t find yourself, literally, out in the cold trying to winterize your home when the temperature dips below 32 degrees.

Tip 1: Put a Stop to Air Leaks

Here is a not-so-encouraging bit of knowledge: Your house leaks air throughout the year, which causes you to spend more money on your energy bill.

According to the Department of Energy, reducing drafts in your home can reduce your energy bill somewhere by 10 percent to 20 percent per year.

First, the key is to find the leaks in your home. Start looking for gaps in your flooring, walls, and ceiling. Next, look at the outside of your home for leaks in the exterior.

Finally, examine your windows, doors, plumbing fixtures, switches, electrical outlets, and fireplace dampers. Discover which openings in your home allow cold air in and warm air out!

Tip 2: Weatherstrip Your Windows and Doors

Windows and doors often are the main culprits for unwanted air leaving the house. To minimize drafts and reduce energy costs, you can seal gaps by weatherstripping your windows and doors.

You can choose from v-strips, all-wool felt, foam, and/or door sweeps and decide which one works best for your home.

For example, door sweeps are great for keeping out air and are cheap to install. However, they also have the tendency to drag on carpets. It felt inexpensive and easy to install as well. However, it does not protect from moisture and lasts less than two years.

Tip 3: Invest in Your Windows

Sometimes, no amount of weather stripping will seal leaks from your windows and doors. That’s a sign that it’s time to budget for new windows or doors. When you’re ready, we have a broad selection of wood and vinyl windows, as well as new entry doors, to make your home look great and stay warm all winter long.

We can help no matter the age of your home. In the words of one customer who has a 100+-year-old Victorian home, “McCann did a great job, and reduced drafts in my house while allowing us to paint the exterior windows to match the house.”

If you’re ready to replace your windows now but haven’t saved up for it, ask us about our Home Improvement Financing option. You can receive 0 percent financing for up to 1 year on your home improvement project.

Tip 4: Clean Your Gutters

Gutters are like beacons for dirt, leaves, and other debris. It’s important to have them cleaned regularly to ensure rainwater can flow freely and drain properly.

If the gutters are clogged and the water doesn’t have anywhere to go, it can spill out over the sides, pouring down the side of your home. This can deteriorate the ground around your house, or worse, seep into your basement. During the frigid winter months, this leads to icicles and ice dams forming in your gutter.

Tip 5: Flush Your Hot Water Heater

Did you know that sediment builds up in the bottom of your hot water heater throughout the year? This sediment reduces your hot water tank’s heating efficiency.

The good news is that you can restore the heating efficiency by FLUSHING THE WATER through the drain valve to clear this out from the system. The water heater will then refill itself and save you money over the winter on your water heating costs. (Note: This may not be an ideal DIY task. We urge you to do your research and then, depending on how brave or handy you feel, decide if this is a task you want to take on or hire someone else to do.)

Tip 6: Tuckpoint Your Brick Walls

Once you finish winterizing your home on the inside, you might want to check the exterior of the house. Go beyond the doors and windows to examine the exterior walls, foundation, and chimneys.

In older brick homes, it’s not uncommon to have tuckpointing issues. This is when cracks in the brick mortar appear. Usually, it is easy to spot, but if you are not sure, stick a pen or other elongated object into the mortar to check for gaps.

You often need tuckpointing when the mortar joints in a home deteriorate from age or settling of the house. You want to make sure you fill the gaps before water or insects get into the wood behind the brick.

Make sure to complete any tuckpointing before winter comes to ensure the mortar seals properly. Also, acting on this sooner than later keeps moisture from getting into exposed areas.

Tip 7: Vinyl Siding

Finally, if you have a home with an aging wooden exterior or asphalt siding, you might want to consider a makeover with vinyl or fiber cement siding. In the last several years, the quality look and color choices of vinyl siding have noticeably improved.

The right vinyl siding replicates the look and feels of real wood. Yet, you don’t have the difficulty and upkeep of having to paint it as you do with a wood exterior.

If you want to take on a siding project before winter, you may want to take a look at our Home Improvement Financing options.

Final Thoughts

The more you do now, the more you can prevent unnecessary and unwanted problems from creeping into your home during the frosty winter months.

If you’re ready for new windows, doors, or siding, call us at 847-562-1212 for a free consultation.