Oh, how time flies. Wasn't it just summer? I distinctly remember complaining about not being able to see the local fireworks because I was going to be out of town. In a casino. Losing money. Anyway, I digress.
With summer far behind us (heavy sigh), it's time to prepare ourselves for the challenges of winter. Below, we take a look at four easy ways to winterize your home.
With summer far behind us (heavy sigh), it's time to prepare ourselves for the challenges of winter. Below, we take a look at four easy ways to winterize your home.
Four Easy Ways To Winterize Your Home
Simple Enough: Get The Look
In order to fully enjoy the winter season, your home should look the part. It should be in sync with the chilly season, wrapped in deeper shades of your interior color scheme, for example. Look for opaque, thermal-insulated curtains and fluffy throw blankets. Replace your cushion covers with winter themed ones, like black and white buffalo check or green and red plaid. Swap out regular cotton bedsheets with flannel sheets with wintry scenes and place throw rugs at each side of the bed. Pepper your home with baskets of cinnamon scented pine cones and candles in yummy wintry scents likes sugar cookie and gingerbread. Add lighted birch branches to a tall floor vase for ambiance. Use a diffuser, and diffuse scents like peppermint, pine, sweet orange and clove.
  Chunky Knit Throw Blanket With Pom Poms, amazon.com |
  100% Warm Cotton Flannel Sheet Sets, Assorted Sizes & Designs, amazon.com |
Bring The Warmth
A cozy home is great, but you won't be able to enjoy it unless it's warm, too, so ensure that your furnace is in full working condition. Turn your thermostat to a temperature a few degrees higher than the room temp and listen for your furnace to kick on. If it doesn't kick on within a minute or so, check the connections and make sure they are snug and secure. If you know what to look for, you can check the furnace fan, blower or heat pump, but it's best to consult with a company that offers heating repairs. They will test the igniter switch, clean the blower motor and heat exchanger and if you have a furnace that is powered by oil, they will replace your nozzle and check the oil levels in the tank. Whether you have a gas or oil powered furnace, it's important to change the filter on the reg.
  27" Freestanding Electric Fireplace With Remote, amazon.com |
  27" Freestanding Electric Fireplace, amazon.com |
Check For Leaks
Your home can take something of a beating once winter arrives. There are cold temperatures, heavy snowfalls and high winds to contend with, and you'll need to pay particular attention to your home’s vulnerable spots, such as the roof and gutters. Performing routine maintenance on your roof just prior to the winter season will help to prevent your home from suffering any significant damage. If you do happen to find your roof leaking in winter, it's probably caused by an ice dam. An ice dam can occur on a sloped roof when a poorly insulated attic is too warm. The snow on your roof will then melt and accumulate in the eaves, causing ice dams. When this meltwater freezes and melts again, it can cause the water to back up under the shingles and cause leaks. Even with regular roof maintenance, an ice dam can be unavoidable. The best way to remediate? Call a professional roofing company immediately. In winter, a leaky roof can go from bad to worse in no time.
Stock Up On Winter Essentials
Each season brings its own unique set of necessities for a homeowner. In spring, it might be garden items like new bulbs, mulch and sod. In summer, the requisite barbeque goodies such as coal, wood chips and firestarter. Winter, however, is more about just getting through the season unscathed. Here's what we suggest to help get you through winter:
- Ice melt, sprinkled liberally after shoveling paths, walkways and driveways. If you have fur babies, make sure you get a brand that is pet-safe.
- Kitty litter, for traction under stuck car tires. It also makes for a great substitute for ice melt.
- At least two snow shovels. One for you, one for a friend.
- De-icer for locks.
- Windshield brush & ice scraper (one for each vehicle). Make sure you have one with a telescopic pole to reach the roof of your car.
- Hand warmers, the inexpensive kind you slip inside your gloves or mittens. A total game-changer when it comes to any outdoor winter activity.
  Nature + Pet Friendly Ice Melt, 25 lb. Bag, amazon.com |
  3 Pack Lock De-Icer & Lubricant, amazon.com |
For more great tips, check out this infographic from bromicheating.com:
From Visually.
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