Tips for Winterizing the Home

Many Texans are bracing themselves for another extreme winter season, and as winter creeps around the corner many homeowners may find themselves starting to think about how they can best protect their home. While you get ready to brace for the colder months, make it a priority to protect your home from harsh weather. Utilize the following five tips to ensure your home is in tip top shape.

Replace Screen Doors and Window Screens

To begin the process of winterizing your home, replace all screen door inserts with glass inserts. If you still have old single pane windows remove the screens and replace it with a storm windows if you have them. Removing screens can give you better protection during winter storms. By replacing screen doors and windows, you'll avoid trapping snow and water in your windows and trim which may lead to problems down the road, particularly in wood windows. Problems such as mold, discoloration, and rotting wood are all examples of what could occur if the proper safeguards aren’t in place. Of course, this isn’t likely a problem for newer windows with vinyl or aluminum brickmold. You'll also want to check each window in your home to ensure they are in good condition. Begin to think about replacing your windows with double pane windows for next year. Texas weather is becoming more extreme and insulated glass windows can make a huge difference in hot summers and cold winters.

Use Weatherstripping for Small Areas

Some homeowners may find small areas of their home where cold air or water gets through. To combat this, utilize weatherstripping. This great resource for homeowners can help you patch up small areas that may be causing you concern. Weatherstripping is a seal that can be used on drafty windows, doors, and other nooks to keep out cold air, water, insects, etc. Applying the seal is an easy task and you'll notice a difference once it's properly applied in the area causing the issue. There are different types of weather stripping materials, so do your research on which one will work best for your home. While it's smart to have weatherstripping on hand, some areas of the home may require a bigger fix, for which you'll need to depend on a professional.

Clean Out Gutters and Roof

During the fall season, sticks, leaves, and other debris makes its way into your gutters. While this may seem like something that's not a big deal, it can severely affect your home during the winter. Before the first snowfall, make an effort to clean out your gutters and check your roof for any damage. If you don't clean out all of the debris, you’re at risk for an ice dam forming. An ice dam is a thick layer of solid ice that forms on the eaves of a roof. Dams can lead to larger problems that may damage your home significantly. Problems can include broken gutters, loose shingles, and even water damage in your home. By checking the condition of your gutters and roof, you can make sure your home is in good shape before the snow starts to fall.

Insulate the Attic

Proper insulation in your home is crucial when you're winterizing your house. Adding insulation to your attic floor can help keep the heat in and it can minimize the chances of an ice dam forming. If your attic needs better insulation, it's best to do this by a professional before the winter season arrives. Larger attics can cost up to $4000 to insulate, so homeowners should budget and plan accordingly if this is something they’re interested in. Since insulation can be an expensive project, look into how to get a home equity loan for a lump sum of funds that can be used to finance home improvement projects. This way you don't have to worry about affording these upgrades all at once, and you'll be protected throughout the colder months.

Invest in Smart Home Devices

Nowadays, there are plenty of different types of smart home devices that you can use to your advantage. These devices range from smart mattresses, leak detectors, and smart thermostats. Smart thermostats are a great investment for the winter months. These devices can learn your schedule and use accurate data to ensure your home is the right temperature at any time of the day. It can even help you save money on your monthly bills! Also, water damage is a commonly faced issue among homeowners. In fact, 1 in 60 insured homes experience water damage per year. It can be beneficial to look into smart leak detectors before winter arrives. These smart devices can alert you when there is a leak in your home and it can bring you peace of mind if you're away from your house in the winter.

As you start to prep your home for the winter months, it's important to plan ahead. The earlier you get started the more likely your home will be ready for the winter. Replacing screen doors and windows as needed will help keep your home warm and it will prevent possible weather damage. Consider using smart home devices that alert you if any home emergencies may be happening, this way your home will be protected all throughout the winter months. Make winterizing your home a priority to make sure you and your family are safe all season long.