Did you know that winterizing your home can save you money?  Not only does it help to reduce heat loss and lower energy bills, but it also gives you an opportunity to make sure your roof and other parts of your home are in good condition and can withstand harsh weather.  As soon as autumn arrives, it’s time to start getting ready for the cold; these tips for preparing your home for winter will keep you warm and comfortable throughout the entire season.

Check your Furnace

Have your furnace inspected by a professional at least every couple of years.  An HVAC expert will clean ducts, replace filters, and ensure your furnace is in good working order.  Alternatively, if your home is heated through a hot-water radiator, consult a professional to conduct basic maintenance such as bleeding the valves. 

Prepare the Fireplace

If you have a fireplace sweep the chimney regularly and screen the top of the chimney to keep rodents and other wildlife from entering.  Also, you’ll want to make sure the fireplace damper opens and closes as it should.

Seal Doors, Windows, and Other Gaps

First, inspect the exterior of your home to look for cracks and other entry points around pipes and be sure to seal these gaps to prevent drafts.  Your windows and doors will likely be the main starting points for cold drafts, so inspect these areas more closely. 

Conduct Roof Maintenance

You’ll also want to have your roof regularly inspected by a professional.  Most experts recommend at least 1 inspection every year to make sure it is in good condition.  Your roofer will repair broken or damaged shingles, check for and repair leaks, and inspect gutters to ensure water and melting snow does not accumulate on your roof.  Flashing should also be checked in order to prevent leaks throughout the winter.

Insulate

Heat is predominantly lost through your roof or foundation.  You may not be aware that your insulation is in poor condition, but it will certainly have an impact on your heating bills.  Check your insulation is in good condition, but if not you may want to add or replace your insulation.

Protect your Pipes

You want to prevent plumbing freezes as they can have serious consequences for your pipes.  As water freezes and melts, it expands and contracts and this can damage your pipes and cause leaks.  Ultimately, this can be a very costly problem, so you want to insulate exposed pipes, and make sure to leave the heat on if you go away on vacation.

Winter can be a cold and harsh season, but by performing a few basic winterizing tasks, you can protect your home and enjoy a cozy winter.

Posted in K2 Roofing Ltd., Main, Residential Roofing, Vancouver Roofing category.

This entry was posted on Friday, December 6th, 2013 , 1:58 am and is filed under K2 Roofing Ltd., Main, Residential Roofing, Vancouver Roofing category. Both comments and pings are currently closed.