Get Ahead Of The Next Winter Storm With These Winterizing Tips

Winter Storm Warning Sign With Snowfall and Stormy Background

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The final days of 2022 were marked by a brutal winter storm that the National Weather Service in Buffalo, New York called “a once-in-generation storm.”

Even though the storm has passed, we still have plenty of cold days ahead and now is the time to make sure your home is prepared. Fortunately, Eric Smith and Donnie Blanchard of The Carolina Contractor Show have put together a 25-minute episode of a few ways you can winterize your home.

Have Your HVAC Regularly Serviced

“This is the dead horse of the show that we beat about twice a year,” said Smith. “Heating and air service calls, I can’t stress enough how important that is.”

Both hosts suggest having your home's unit checked by a trusted professional as soon as the weather changes from hot to cold, and vice versa. This way you can be aware of any potential problems before they turn into a full-blown emergency.

Clean Up Those Leaves

Getting all of the leaves out of your gutters can help prevent ice dams, so make sure that it is taken care of as soon as possible if you haven’t already. Speaking of leaves, Smith recommends clearing any remaining leaves away from the foundation of your house.

“These leaves hold moisture around your house,” he said. “Getting them away from your foundation is a good idea.”

Insulate Your Pipes

Burst pipes were a huge issue for many during the recent storm but insulating your pipes can help ease the pressure of freezing temperatures. For those who have a crawl space, make sure any pipes near the crawl space vents are insulated well.

“Those are usually the ones where you have problems,” Smith said. “You are talking a one-hour deal to prevent any kind of pipe burst.”

On outside faucets, make sure they have foam covers to prevent freezing. As always make sure to drip inside faucets when appropriate.

Insulate Doors And Windows

Do not ignore that drafty window! It needs to be looked at as soon as possible. This contributes to a high utility bill more often than people realize Smith said.

“This is probably the most important thing,” he said. “There is always air pushing on your house. You always have a positive pressure that’s trying to cause the air from the outside to infiltrate to the inside.”

The host suggests having a competent carpenter to check your windows out to make sure there are no gaps where they shouldn’t be.

Listen to “Winterize Your Home!” for all the tips from Smith and Blanchard. Check out The Carolina Contractor Show for more home improvement tips. Find it on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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