Preparing your Home for Winter Months
Before the weather turns cold and blizzardy, you can utilize the nice fall temperatures to winterize your New Jersey home. Taking a few steps now will protect your home from cold weather damage later. Team Electric Plumbing & Air wants you to have the peace of mind that preparation can bring. With us one your side, you will be ready for winter.
Seal it up: If you can see light around your exterior doors, it means that a lot of cold air will be using that space to come into your home. Check your weather stripping. If you notice places where it is missing, replace it. You can easily remove and replace the old weather stripping. New weather stripping from your local hardware store is only a few dollars. If there are gaps around your windows, seal it up with some silicone caulk. Silicone is the way to go for exteriors because it is water proof and doesn’t shrink.
Slope it away: Take a close look at the ground around your foundation. If it slopes away from your home, snow melt and spring rains will shed away from your home. If the ground slopes toward your home, you have the potential for a problem. Ideally, you want the ground slope to be two to three inches every ten feet. To save your home from drainage issues, you can add dirt or remove it to make the slope right. You will also want to check your rain gutter spouts to make certain they all drain away from your home.
Start at the top: Your roof is going to see snow, rain, and even some of our famous New Jersey freezing rain. Fall is a good time to check your roof. Make certain your shingles are in good condition. If you see any damaged shingles, get them replaced. Check the tar around your roof vents and chimney. You can even climb into your attic a look for the telltale signs of water damage. Make certain to check your rain gutters too. Remove any debris and leaves.
Turn up the heat: The last thing you want is for a blizzard to arrive and then realize your furnace isn’t working. To prevent furnace problems call Team Electric Plumbing & Air. Our certified technicians will inspect your furnace and give it a tune up. With us on your side you furnace will be ready.
Insulation is your friend: Icicles might be pretty to look at, but they also act as a warning. If the edges of your roof are covered in icicles in the winter, your home is bleeding heat. Your attic might be lacking the necessary insulation to keep the heat inside. Freezing water can also cause ice dams to form which can ruin shingles and warp your roof.
Put it away: One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is leaving their garden hose attached to the spigot during the winter. This can freeze the water in your pipes and create a devastating problem inside your home. The best protection is to remove the hose in early fall and put it away.
