Top handyman tips for winterizing your home
As winter approaches, many homeowners start to worry about how well their home will hold up against the cold weather. While there are some things you can’t do much about, such as a faulty roof, there are many other ways to prepare your home for winter. Here are some tips to help you get started.
Check your roof for damage and repair any leaks
A home’s roof takes the brunt of the weather during winter, so it’s important to do a thorough check for any damage and repair any leaks before the cold sets in. If you don’t, you could end up with a roof that leaks and lets in moisture, which can cause extensive damage to your home.
Some things you can do to check the roof for damage include:
- Getting up on a ladder to take a close look at the roofline, including the eaves, gables, and roof valleys
- Checking for missing or damaged shingles or tiles
- Looking for any signs of buckling or sagging
- Inspecting the flashing around vents, chimneys, and other roof penetrations
- Identifying any water stains on ceilings or walls inside your home
If you find any damage, either have it repaired by a professional roofer or do it yourself, depending on the level of expertise. And be sure to keep an eye on your roof during winter weather to make sure there are no new leaks developing.
Install insulation in the attic and around windows and doors
If you want to keep your home warm and snug during the winter, you’ll need to take some steps to prepare it for the colder weather. One of the most important things you can do is install insulation in the attic and around windows and doors.
You can buy insulation at most hardware stores, and it’s a fairly easy DIY project. If you’re not sure how to install insulation, there are plenty of online tutorials that can walk you through the process.
Once insulation is in place, make sure to seal any cracks or gaps around windows and doors with caulk or weatherstripping. This will help keep the warmth inside your home and prevent drafts from creeping in.
Other handyman tips for winterizing your home include installing storm windows, adding extra blankets to the bed, and using a space heater in the living room or bedroom. With a little bit of preparation, you can keep your home cozy all winter long!
Add weatherstripping to doors and windows
Weatherstripping is an inexpensive way to keep the cold air out of your home and the warm air in. You can buy weatherstripping at most hardware stores. There are a few different types, so you’ll need to choose the type that works best for doors and windows.
Some types of weatherstripping attach to the door or window frame, while others attach to the door or window itself. Make sure you read the instructions carefully so you know how to install it properly.
Once you’ve installed the weatherstripping, take a look around your home. If necessary, add more weatherstripping to areas that might be letting in cold air. That way, you can ensure that your home is well-insulated and warm throughout the winter months.
Caulk any cracks or gaps in the exterior of your home
Caulking is an important step in winterizing your home. When caulking cracks or gaps in the exterior of your home, you are filling in any potential entry points for cold air. This will help to keep your home warm and insulated during the winter months.
There are a few things to keep in mind when caulking your home. First, be sure to use a high-quality caulk that is designed for outdoor use. Cheap caulk can often crack and peel, which will defeat the purpose of caulking.
Second, be sure to caulk all of the cracks and gaps in your home. A lot of heat can escape through small cracks and holes, so it is important to seal them up as much as possible.
Finally, be sure to apply the caulk properly. Make sure the surface is clean and dry before applying the caulk. Use a quality caulk gun to apply the caulk evenly and smoothly. This will ensure that it seals properly.
By following these simple steps, you can help winterize your home and keep the cold air out. Caulking is a quick and easy task that can make a big difference in the comfort of your home during the winter months.
Hang heavy curtains over windows to keep out the cold air
When winter rolls around, it’s important to take steps to protect your home from the cold weather. One way to do this is by hanging heavy curtains over windows. This will help keep the cold air out and keep your home warm.
Here are a few tips for hanging heavy curtains over windows:
- Measure the width of the window and purchase curtains that are at least twice as wide as the window.
- Hang the curtains high enough so that they touch the floor or extend a few inches below the window sill.
- Use drapery hooks or rings to hang the curtains, and make sure they’re evenly spaced apart.
- If you have a particularly large window, you may need more than one curtain panel to cover it. In this case, it’s best to use tiebacks to hold the panels back when they’re not in use.
By following these tips, you can easily hang heavy curtains over windows and help winterize your home.
Set up a space heater in a room that tends to get cold
Space heaters can be a great way to keep your home warm during the winter. However, it’s important to use them safely. Here are a few tips for setting up a space heater in a room that tends to get cold:
- Make sure the space heater is on a stable surface and isn’t near anything that could catch fire, such as curtains or newspapers.
- Keep a close eye on the space heater while it’s running and turn it off when you leave the room.
- Never cover the space heater with blankets or other materials.
- Make sure there’s plenty of air circulation around the space heater.
- Don’t let children or pets near the space heater.
By following these handyman tips for winterizing your home, you can ensure that your space heater is being used safely and efficiently. Plus, it will help keep your home warm during the cold winter months.
Wrap water pipes with insulation to prevent them from freezing
Water pipes can freeze during winter, which can cause a lot of damage to your home. One way to prevent this is to wrap the pipes in insulation. Here are the steps to do this:
- Measure the length of the pipe that needs to be insulated.
- Cut a piece of insulation that is the same size as the pipe.
- Wrap the insulation around the pipe and secure it with tape.
- Repeat for all of the water pipes in your home.
Adding insulation to water pipes can help keep them from freezing and prevent costly damage. Make sure to check the insulation every few months during winter to make sure it’s still secure and in good condition.
Additional tips on how you can prepare your home for winter are the following.
- Cover your windows with plastic sheeting to keep the cold air out
- Hang tapestries or blankets over doorways to help keep the heat in
- Install storm doors and windows to further protect your home from the cold
- Keep a close eye on thermostat and make sure you aren’t wasting energy by keeping your home too warm
- Bring in any potted plants that may have been left outside during the summer
- Make sure all of your fireplaces and chimneys are clean and in good working order
- Check your roof for any damage that may have been caused by winter weather
- Replace any worn or damaged roof shingles before winter sets in
- Insulate your attic to help keep the heat in
Winter can be a challenging time for homeowners, but by following these handyman tips for winterizing your home, you can winterize your home and protect it from the cold weather. From insulating water pipes to covering windows with plastic sheeting, there are many things you can do to keep your home warm and cozy during the winter months. Make sure to take advantage of all of these tips so that you can stay comfortable and safe in your own home this winter. Happy Winterizing!