RestorationSOS.com - Fire and Water Damage Restoration

Winterizing Your Home

By the RestorationSOS Educational Staff

Ideally, you have already prepared your property for winter, steeling it against the frigid elements that are coming. But if you haven’t already, you should probably take measures to do just that. Taking a few preventative steps now may spare you a significant repair bill later on.

Insulate Yourself
Check the insulation in your attic and make sure you have enough. If you can see the ceiling joists, you don’t. Make sure you have a bare minimum of 12 inches of insulation to help keep your home warm this winter.

Fire Up The Furnace
We all know what that first time is like, namely the smell that accompanies the first use of the furnace every year. That smell should go away within a few minutes, but if it does not, shut it down and call in a professional to inspect the unit. Your filters may be dirty and as a result may cause a fire risk. Forget the fiberglass filters and use electrostatic filters that may be washed and reused.

Air Ducts
A home may lose up to 60% of it heat if the air ducts are not properly connected and insulated. That will make itself known on your bill. Have the ducts cleaned every few years to remove debris that could hinder proper operation or cause respiratory problems.

Chimney
Before you use your fireplace the first time, have your chimney inspected. If you don’t already have one, have a screen cap placed over your chimney to keep out leaves and debris, or worse, birds and other small animals which may crawl into the open vent for refuge or shelter. Be sure to keep the damper or flue closed when not in use to keep cold air from coming in.

Reverse Ceiling Fans
Not many people know this, but reversing your ceiling fans will really help out when it comes to keeping heat down where you and your family are (as opposed to rising to the ceiling where it does nobody any good at all). Make sure your ceiling fan is rotating clockwise.

Piping
This is a prime cause for water damage every year. Make sure the water to your outside hose bibs is shut off before freezing weather hits, and that all water has been drained from the pipes. In addition, wherever you have access to your pipes, be sure they are insulated.

In the event of water damage as a result of rain, melting ice, or snow runoff, you should call in your local water damage restoration professionals. Your home will face considerable threats from the elements this winter, so take the time to be properly prepared.

Recommended Reading
Preparing Your Roof and Gutters for Winter
Preparing Your Home for Winter

Learn More about How to Prepare Your Home for Winter in this Video:

Print A+ A-