As the temperatures drop and the days get shorter, it’s essential to be prepared for the winter months ahead. Temperatures reach as low as 33 degrees Fahrenheit . Unfortunately, this can be problematic for many homes in the country. Here are five common problems your family may encounter this winter and some tips on how to avoid them.
Winterizing your home
One of the most important things you can do to prepare for winter is to winterize your home. This means insulating your home so that heat doesn’t escape and cold air doesn’t seep in. Here are some ways you can winterize your home:
Insulation
If you don’t want to let warm air out of your home, you need to insulate your home correctly. Here are some great insulation options for your family:
- Fiberglass: If you want to insulate your attic or walls, fiberglass insulation is a great option. This kind of insulation material is affordable and easy to install.
- Cellulose: Another great option for insulating your attic or walls is cellulose insulation. This material is made from recycled paper products and has excellent thermal properties.
- Spray foam: You can spray this insulation on any cracks or holes in your home to prevent drafts and maintain warmth.
- Weatherstripping: Weather stripping can be added around doors and windows to prevent cold air from entering the home.
Heating
Heating is crucial when it comes to winterizing your home. A good furnace can make a difference in heating your home during cold winter nights. However, it can also be prone to breaking down. That’s why you also need a furnace maintenance service on speed dial. The service can ensure that your furnace is running smoothly and efficiently. Ensure that you can call them at any time. In addition to a furnace, consider investing in other heating options, such as fireplaces or space heaters.
Plumbing
Another essential thing you need to keep tabs on is your home’s plumbing. When water freezes, it expands and can cause pipes to burst, leading to expensive repairs. To avoid this issue, ensure all exposed pipes are properly insulated. Also, let a small stream of water drip from faucets connected to exposed pipes during freezing temperatures. This will keep the water flowing and prevent it from freezing in the pipe.
Snow and Ice
Snow and ice can be significant pain during the winter months. Not only can they make it difficult to get around, but they can also damage your property. To avoid dealing with snow and ice, make sure you have a good snow shovel and ice scraper. You should also salt or sand areas prone to freezing, such as sidewalks, driveways, and stairs.
Heating bills
Heating bills can be a significant expense during the winter months. To help keep your heating bills down, ensure you’re not wasting heat by opening windows or doors when it’s cold outside. You should also dress warmly indoors so that you don’t have to crank up the heat as much. And if possible, invest in a programmable thermostat so that you can automatically lower the temperature when no one is home during the day. Additionally, your heating maintenance before the winter season should ensure that your heating system runs efficiently.
Car problems
Cold weather can wreak havoc on your car, so it’s essential to take some steps to avoid car problems this winter. First, ensure you get your car serviced before the cold weather hits so that any potential problems can be fixed before they become an issue. To avoid fuel line freeze-ups, you should keep your gas tank half full. And finally, pack a winter emergency kit for your car if you get stranded in bad weather.
Sickness
Cold and flu viruses love the winter months because people spend more time indoors where they’re close together, making it easy for viruses to spread. To avoid getting sick this winter, ensure you and your family are washing your hands regularly and getting flu shots if your doctor recommends. You should also try to avoid sick people as much as possible and clean surfaces that may be contaminated with germs regularly.
By preparing for the winter months, you can avoid many common problems families face yearly. So take some time now to winterize your home, stock up on snow shovels and ice scrapers, invest in a programmable thermostat, get your car serviced, and make sure everyone in the family is up-to-date on their flu shot—you’ll be glad you did when the cold weather hits!