Winterizing Your New Jersey Home

The winter season is upon us. You may feel you are ready, but your house may not be. You should start thinking of winterizing your home before the heart of winter is fully here. You need to take the necessary steps to prepare your house for the cold months ahead. These steps will also protect your property and save money that could have been spent on repairing damages.

Fix those leaks

One of the simplest yet most effective ways of winterizing your home is to find leaks around the home and plug them. Check doors and windows to see if air is passing through them when shut. Worn out door stops should be replaced. Caulking around doors and windows reduces drafts. Cover up all the gaps around windows and doors inside that could let in cold drafts. Also ensure the basements are checked for holes bored by rodents or other creatures.

Insulate

Putting some additional insulation in your attic may cost more money, but could go a long way in boosting your energy savings. With the right attic insulation, you can keep your home warm in the winter and cool in summer.

Gutters, Roof and Downspouts

Clean out the gutters before winter arrives, removing leaves and other debris. Clear the flashing and ensure water cannot enter the house. You could also install leaf guards on the gutters so they can remain clean. As you are winterizing your New Jersey home, don’t forget to replace worn roof tiles or shingles.

Exteriors and Basement

Inspect points where pipes and ducts enter the house. Use caulking or weather stripping to cover crevice cracks and other leaks, where necessary.  Plastic shields can be used to protect the basement windows. You can also install storm windows if you have them when preparing for the winter winds. If you can, try to remove summer screens and replace with glass.

Fireplace

Get plenty of firewood on hand for your fireplace. Inspect and clean up the chimney. Conserve heat by closing the damper when the fireplace is not in use.

Furnace

Get your heater inspected by an HVAC professional before winter comes. Make sure the furnace filter is replaced and the ducts are cleaned out.  For the furnace filters to work efficiently, furnace filters should be changed regularly. As you go about winterizing your home, don’t forget to stock up on furnace filters.

Plumbing

During winterization, plumbing is very important. There are pipes that are likely to freeze. Ensure outdoor faucets and garden hoses are drained of water especially if you are expecting freezing weather. You can use heat tapes to insulate exposed plumbing pipes which keeps them from bursting.

Winterizing Saves Money

Always remember that winterizing your home saves your property, and saves you from costs that could have been incurred on heating.  It’s a good idea to always keep emergency supplies such as candles, flashlights, battery operated radio with extra batteries. You could keep emergency supplies such as bottled water and non-perishable foods that can last a few days at the ready. If you take these steps, you can fully enjoy the winter season.