Getting Ready for Winter as a First Time Home Owner
It's your first home. It's your first winter as a home owner. Have you even thought about what's in store for you once the snow begins to fly? You can prepare for old man winter by getting your house ready now with a few tips. In fact, a friend of ours has some advice for all home owners. We thought it would be especially beneficial to first time home owners.
Prairie State Inspections offers this thought:
Most weatherproofing projects involve the two primary heat-loss areas in your home: windows and doors. Caulk and weather-stripping are the principal tools to seal your building envelope. Seal your television cable jacks, telephone lines, spigots, fireplace vents, and other entry points where unwanted cold air enters your home. Weatherproofing also helps prevent pests such as termites, ants, spiders, and other insects from entering your home.
A well-insulated house is easy on the environment. By reducing energy use, you help reduce pollution and conserve natural resources. In an average home, reducing energy usage by just 15 percent saves the equivalent of 500 pounds of coal. An energy-efficient house is also a more comfortable and healthier environment for you and your family.
Here's a short checklist of things you'll need this winter:
- Snow shovel
- Snow blower
- Snow melt (salt)
- Plastic for windows
- Weather stripping or caulk
- Furnace filter
- Extra insulation
- Split and organize wood & kindling (if you have a fireplace)
- Snow melt device for the roof and gutters
- Clean out your gutters and downspouts so they don't plug up during snow melts
- Christmas lights that aren't lame
- Sledding clothes and a sled (take time to be a kid again - it's good for the soul)
It's important to prepare for winter before the snow begins to fly. Working on weatherization before it's cold will help save you money and pain later.
Can you think of other weatherproofing projects first time home owners should do before winter? If you've been through a few winters and you can share with the rookies, leave your ideas in the comments below.
Besides the usual weatherization, you could start some home improvement projects this fall and winter. We even put together a resource for you. Download "DIY Home Improvements Ultimate Pinterest Guide" at the button below.
(creative commons photo credit)