Getting your home ready for winter is one of the best ways to prevent future damage and costs. At The Reno Superstore, we believe there is a solution for everything when it comes to fixing your home, including during the coldest months.
So, if you have not winterized your home yet, now is the time. Use these tips from The Reno Superstore to keep the coldest season at bay.
Let’s get started.
Tips and Tricks to Make Your Home Warm and Cozy
There is nothing like a warm and cozy atmosphere inside when it’s snowing outside. If your house hasn’t been winterized, follow this simple advice.
1. Repair Damage and Make Necessary Replacements
Inspect your doors and windows for damages that may cause heat to leak and cold air to come in. Since doors and windows are exposed to the elements, they can experience a lot of damage, and that’s why they need to be protected. The best way to handle this is to check for damages and try to repair them or have the damaged part replaced.
If you have cracked wooden exterior doors, it is best to caulk and paint them while there is still time to repair them. The same applies to interior doors.
If you are looking to make your home more insulated, then change the doors inside your house to solid interior ones. Replacing your doors can make a big difference.
For serious damages, it is best to consult an expert from The Reno Superstore. They can help you make suitable repairs and save you money by preventing bigger damages that can happen if you ignore them.
2. Get a Roof Inspection
Loose and broken roof shingles can cause a lot of damage. When it comes to preparing your roof for winter, it may be one of the most important factors you look into. Hail, rain, storms, and snow can do heavy damage to your roof and run into thousands of dollars to fix.
If you are unable to do it yourself, you can hire a contractor to inspect your roof. Spending upfront to repair your roof is far less expensive than repairing the larger damages that will invariably occur if you ignore the initial problems.
3. Get Heated Floors
Stepping on a cold floor is a rude shock. That’s why investing in flooring that supports radiant heating is one of the wisest moves you can make.
Radiant heating heats your floor via hot water pipes installed beneath your flooring. This heat is distributed evenly throughout the entire room.
But not all flooring supports radiant heating. Porcelain tiles, stone tiles, some vinyl flooring, and engineered wood flooring products do. It is important to consult with our experts when investing in flooring materials as they can recommend products that support radiant heating.
4. Install New Flooring
This one can be a game-changer. Vinyl flooring is a great option if you want something both affordable and durable. It is also easy to install, including over existing floors. And they feel warm underfoot, which is great for everyone, including pets and kids.
Another great option is carpet. It is affordable, available in a wide array of designs, and can make your space that much more comfortable. Indeed, carpet flooring is one of the most popular flooring options.
5. Check Drainage
Drainage is an important part of winterizing your home. Make sure to create areas in the soil around your foundation for water to pool. If you happen to find a low spot, fill it in with soil. After that, inspect your rain gutter downspouts; the goal is to direct water away from your home.
If you feel like the water is not moving away from your home, add downspout extenders. Saturated soil surrounding your foundation will freeze and thaw throughout the winter, leading to serious issues. That’s why it is very important to check the drainage in your home.
6. Clean Your Gutters
While cleaning your gutters does not have to be done seasonally, doing it right before winter hits is a good idea. Shovelling out extra snow from your gutters helps relieve pressure on them. If your home receives a lot of snow, it will mean additional weight in your gutters which can possibly damage them.
When snow gets inside your gutters, the additional weight can pull them away from your home, leading to expensive repairs. As mentioned, make sure that when the ice melts, the water has somewhere to go.
7. Turn Off Your Outdoor Faucets and Sprinkler System
During the chilly winter months, you should always make sure that your faucets are completely drained and shut off. Otherwise, your pipes can burst if water is allowed to build up and not removed. Likewise, turn off the garden house and drain any remaining water.
The same applies to your pool and sprinkler system. If you are unsure how to go about it, contact a professional to help you out. Professional winterization is much better than replacing broken pipes.
Seriously consider preparing your home for the harsh winter months. We hope these tips will help you prepare properly and do the best for your home. Precautions are crucial and can help avoid expensive repairs. If you are unsure where to begin, The Reno Superstore can guide you in the right direction.