The winter season comes with a set of unique problems especially for a new home.
It is important to know what to look out for so that you can winter proof your home before the season hits. When you know what needs to be done and how to properly prepare for the cold season, you’ll be able to keep your home warm & winter proof.
Thankfully in Perth, the winter season does not bring snow or icy driveways. However, for our readers in the colder climates, we’ve put together some practical tips on how to combat this.
Areas You Need to Look Out for
There are certain areas or features in your home that facilitate the quick loss of heat if they are not taken care of. Here are a few of the areas that you should take into consideration:
The Driveway
While there are people who swear by fertilizer as a de-icing agent, it is important to find out if the chemicals used may cause environmental issues. It has been discovered that properties used in fertilizer such as urea, phosphorous and nitrogen end up in the water when they run off with the melted ice.
It is not advisable to use salt either as it is also a pollutant. The best product to use for de-icing your driveway is a deicer that contains calcium magnesium.
The best way to go is to shovel the snow off before it is tramped on. If you find that ice still forms despite your best efforts, sprinkle some sand to create traction.
The Hoses
If your faucets have hoses connected, disconnect them. While most exterior faucets are fitted with built-in protection against the cold weather, they only work when the hose is not connected.
To avoid all the connecting and disconnecting, you can attach a quick-connect fitting between the faucet and hose that you can leave in place all year. You can contact seasoned builders to advise you on getting the best faucets fitted.
Flooring
When temperatures hit the negatives, you will feel the effect when walking through your house. It does not matter whether you have carpets or your floor is wooden. The best way to ensure that the cold does not sip through the floor is to buy thick rugs and have them spread throughout the house evenly.
Thick rugs aid in absorbing the warm air from above and trapping the cold air seeping in from below. This gives your home an even temperature from top to bottom.
In modern times, homeowners have hydronic heating pipes or electric ones fitted within the floor. These pipes flood the heat from below and provide heat for the whole home.
Other Areas Open to Leaking
There may be gaps that could facilitate leaking of warm air. These include gaps around unfinished walls and fixtures. Should you find icicles forming near an area that ought to be sealed from the inside, start the search for broken seals along the roof as well as inside the house.
Conclusion
Sealing your house correctly and insulating your home aids in reducing energy costs. Make the time to look for leaks around your home once in a while and take corrective measures immediately. Not only will you reduce costs, but you will also ensure that your new home is cosy and warm throughout the winter season.