Please welcome Michael Barton. Michael is sharing with us his 5 Quick Home Improvement Tips for Winter.
I hope you enjoy today’s guest post. You can follow Michael at Power Tools Planet.
Well, it’s a bit too late to say that winter is coming, since winter is already here and holidays are basically just waving at us. If you haven’t got the time to prepare your home for this unforgiving weather, don’t panic. There’s still time for some quick home improvements that will make your home ready for the cold days. These 5 simple tasks will help you stay warm, safe and energy-conscious this winter.
- Prepare your hearth. Before getting chestnuts ready for the roasting, make sure your fireplace is set for the fire. Grab a flashlight and look inside for build-up, bird’s nests or obvious cracks. From the outside, check for broken bricks and crumbling mortar. Also, make sure that your damper opens and closes and seals tightly. Clean out the ashes and remember that in addition to these steps, you should have your chimney professionally cleaned every, at least once. Stock up on wood and kindling, and you will be ready to fight the winter!
- Insulate your pipes. Insulating your hot water pipes reduces your heat loss and can raise the water temperature, hotter than uninsulated pipes can deliver, allowing you to lower your water temperature setting. Another advantage is that you won’t have to wait as long for hot water when you turn on a faucet or showerhead, which, of course, helps conserve water.
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Insulate your loft, basement or any crawl spaces. This will prevent heat from escaping and help to keep the house warm but will also prevent ice dams from forming. Ice dams occur when too much heat escapes from the home, the heat causes snow to melt and then later refreeze, which in turn causes damage to your property.
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Don’t forget about your heating maintenance. Make sure it’s ready to fight the winter! You could call in a professional to check your system and ensure it is in good working before you turn it on. Also, you should check your furnace, venting system, and your chimney. Do not forget to change the batteries on your smoke detector, in case any of your heating systems might start overworking.
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Seal your windows. Drafty windows make it harder and less efficient to heat and you’re your home during the winter. Windows are not maintenance-free, but with regular cleaning, caulking, and glazing they can be kept in good condition. Make sure they are sealed and you will surely have a lower bill to pay this winter.
These were 5 quick tips that you can apply right now and avoid some serious problems during this winter. With this issues fixed and some Christmas decorations, you will surely have a cozy and warm winter with your family! Have a great winter.
Author Bio:
Michael Barton is an avid home improvement enthusiast who loves everything about improvement and modern house gadgets. You can find his reviews on his website.
