7 Signs Your Home Isn’t Ready for Winter
The chill is in the air in many places around the US, and as the colder months approach, it's important to prepare your home for the winter in order to ensure a warm and comfortable living environment.
From drafts and poor insulation, to issues with your HVAC system and gutters, there are many signs that your home may not be ready for the harsh weather ahead. In this blog, we'll discuss 7 common warning signs that indicate your house isn’t quite ready for winter, as well as provide some helpful tips on how to address these issues. By taking these and other necessary precautions, you can create a safe and cozy living space for you and your family all season long.
1. Drafts
Are you experiencing a sudden drop in temperature in your home as it’s cooling down outside? Chances are, you're dealing with a draft somewhere. Not to worry though; this is a common issue that’s easily resolved. Drafts are caused by various things, including poor insulation and cracks in your windows or doors. By properly sealing these gaps with weather-stripping or caulk, you can reduce the amount of cold air entering your home. Additionally, you may want to consider adding insulation in your attic to prevent drafts from occurring. With some effort, you can eliminate these pesky drafts and create a comfortable, cozy living space. Most of these items can be found at your local hardware store like Home Depot, Lowes or Ace.
2. Poor Insulation
When it comes to keeping your home warm, proper insulation is crucial. Without it, you may lose valuable heat, leading to expensive heating bills. That's why it's essential to inspect your attic, walls, and crawl space to ensure the insulation is in good condition and provides sufficient coverage. If you've noticed drafts or cool spots in certain areas of your home, it's always good to contact a professional to assess the situation and add more insulation if necessary. Don't let poor insulation disrupt your comfort or your wallet - take action today for a warm and cozy home all winter long. Let me know if you need any referrals or resources for this and any of the other items.
3. HVAC System Issues
With owning a home, it’s imperative to ensure that your HVAC system is working efficiently, especially during the colder months. If you notice that your home is unusually cold, stale, or emitting strange odors, it may be time to call in a professional technician to diagnose and repair any potential issues. Over time, HVAC systems can wear down and become less effective, ultimately contributing to higher energy bills, reduced indoor air quality, and compromised comfort. However, there are things you can do to help maintain your system's performance, such as changing the air filter regularly and scheduling routine maintenance. We change our filters every 6 months (or as they appear dirty if it’s before that time). Don't suffer from a malfunctioning HVAC system any longer. Trust professionals, such as the people at Trane Supply, to ensure a warm, comfortable, and healthy home for you and your family.
4. Gutter Clogs
Maintaining gutters can be an easy task to ignore, but it's also pretty important to regularly clean them out to avoid the costly consequences of clogs. When debris accumulates in your gutters, it can lead to water damage on your roof and even inside your home. These clogs can also turn into ice formations, block drainage, or even worse, they can sometimes catch you off guard during a heavy rainstorm or snowfall, and create ice dams. With waterproof gloves on and a sturdy ladder, you can take care of your gutters and ensure the water is flowing smoothly. Make sure you and your ladder are securely anchored for safety, and please don't hesitate to reach out to a professional if you need assistance. Properly maintaining your gutters will save you not only time and money, but a lot of frustration and headaches in the long run.
5. Cracks…and Not Covering Foundation Vents
Ensuring your home's foundation is in good condition is crucial to maintaining a warm and cozy living environment. Whether you're living in an older home or a new build, small cracks in the foundation can end up causing significant problems if left unchecked. In addition to allowing this cold air into your home, these cracks can lead to unwanted water infiltration and potentially structural damage. To minimize these risks, it’s essential to inspect your foundation regularly, and then have any cracks professionally sealed to maintain the integrity of your home's structure. Furthermore, many forget to close the vents on their foundation surrounding their house. It’s also even more effective to add the styrofoam vent covers for more insulation. You can find those here. Keep in mind there are different sizes of these foundation vent plugs as they call them. With these precautions in place, you can enjoy a comfortable and healthy living space for years to come.
6. Poorly Functioning Chimney
As homeowners, we love the warmth and comfort a fireplace can bring, especially during the colder months. However, having a poorly functioning chimney can lead to serious safety concerns. Creosote build-up is a significant and real fire hazard, and can cause major damage to your home. To ensure the safety of your family and property, it's essential to have your chimney inspected annually by a professional. They will also let you know if you need it to be swept and cleaned out. There are also creosote sweeping logs you can purchase that help clean your chimney that you may want to consider. In fact, our chimney sweeper recently told us about them because we had some extra build up. Not only will all of this give you peace of mind, but it will also prolong the life of your chimney and fireplace, and keep things a safer. Don't wait until it's too late; schedule your chimney inspection today and keep your home safe and warm.
7. Poor Drainage
When winter shows up, it’s usually in force and often unexpected, and your home’s drainage system may struggle to handle the influx of snow and rain. As a result, it’s crucial to ensure your drainage is working so rainwater and melting snow don’t accumulate around your home’s foundation or in your gutters. By checking your drainage system regularly, you can prevent icy patches on your walkways and avoid potentially serious foundation damage. Take some time to check out your drainage today, and be sure it’s functioning properly to protect your home from the risks of poor drainage during the winter months.
It's essential to be proactive and address any potential issues with your home before the winter season arrives. By taking care of drafts, poor insulation, HVAC system issues, gutter clogs, cracks in the foundation, poorly functioning chimneys, and poor drainage, you can ensure a warm and comfortable living space for you and your family. Don't let these common warning signs catch you off guard - take action now to prepare your home for the colder months ahead. Stay warm and cozy all winter long with these helpful tips. So, make sure to inspect your home and address any concerns before it's too late. With a little bit of effort, you can create a safe and comfortable living space for you and your loved ones to enjoy throughout the winter season.
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We hope this has been helpful and given you some ideas and tips to help winterize your home more effectively and efficiently. It’ll keep you safer and probably save you some money down the road. If you’re thinking of listing your property, or if you don’t own a home, condo or similar, and are interested in buying, let me know so I can help walk you through the current market conditions, as well as all the resources and referrals I have from my many years of success in the industry. As an 11 year, Five Star Professional Real Estate Agent, knowing that no matter what is happening in the economy (and especially now), you need an exceptional real estate broker on your team…and you’ll be in great hands with my team and me!
Please reach out, I’m here to assist and help you “move forward,”
Teresa Catania, Broker
West + Main Homes Oregon
Bend Oregon | Central Oregon | Portland Oregon
503-740-3293
teresa@teresacatania.com
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