Although it may seem simple to fix little things around your house, the fact of the matter is that there are a few professionals who really do work hard to make your life better. For instance, while you may be likely to paint your place on your own, even doing something as simple as switching out a toilet can be really challenging. I started thinking about how valuable professionals like plumbers were for my business, and I wanted to start a new blog that centered around how much a plumber can help to make your life better. Check out this website for tips on finding a talented plumber.
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Are you ready to put winter behind you? As the cold weather fades away into a distant memory, you're probably more inclined to think about beaches and bathing suits than frozen pipes. While next winter may seem to be miles away, it's never too soon to start thinking about protecting your home. Spring can be a great time to begin some leisurely winterization to make future winters less stressful and costly.
Don't worry if you don't know where to begin! While winterization can be as straightforward or as complicated as you want, there are a few simple steps that anyone can take to start the process of fortifying their home against the cold.
Step 1: Reflection
Start the process by identifying any issues you've had in past winters. Burst pipes are the most common winter problem for many homeowners, but they aren't the only issue when the weather turns cold. Other problems include excess heating bills due to drafts or other home envelope issues, ice dams that can lead to leaks or damaged gutters, and blocked vents that can impact gas appliances.
Even if you've been lucky enough to have mostly trouble-free winters, don't assume that you're out of the woods. Instead, do a thorough inspection of your home and consider areas where you may face problems in the future. Pay special attention to pipes that run through unconditioned spaces, as well as to signs that water may be entering your basement, even in small amounts.
Step 2: Goals
Do you want to take a cost-effective approach to avoid expensive problems, or do you want to turn your home into a fortress against the elements? Necessary winterization actions include insulating pipes, repairing minor foundation cracks, and addressing yard drainage issues that may cause meltwater to flow towards your home. Taking even just these steps can potentially prevent significant future repairs.
If you want to go further, then consider performing an envelope and energy-use audit on your home. A professional can help you find areas where your home may be losing heat during the winter and provide solutions to remedy these problems. Addressing your home's heat loss issues can reduce your utility bills and further minimize the risk of winter damage.
Step 3: Action
Once you've determined the goals of your winterization project, it's time to start acting. You can tackle more minor actions such as pipe insulation on your own, but you may want an expert to help with issues such as insufficient insulation or meltwater drainage. Fortunately, starting in the spring gives you plenty of time to take these steps one at a time, helping to minimize the financial burden.
Winter can be a rough time for your home, but planning ahead is a cost-effective way to reduce your risks and keep your house safe. Starting your winterization project this spring ensures that you'll have all the time you need to get the job done right.
To learn more, contact a home winterization company.
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