Fantastic Home Improvements For A Fall-Ready Home
Fall is finally in full swing, and while right now that means beautiful foliage, perfectly cool temperatures, and pumpkins everywhere, it also means that winter will soon be here. Once the seriously cold temperatures hit, most homeowners start avoiding making any changes to their home until the weather warms up again. Reports have shown that 80% of homeowners have upcoming plans for home improvement projects, so if you’re one of that majority, here are a few projects you should get started on to get your home ready for the colder seasons.
Insulate Your Plumbing
During fall and winter, cold temperatures can cause damage to your home’s plumbing. While it’s more likely to be an issue in the winter, you don’t want the first frost to surprise you early in the fall and cause damage to your pipes. Instead, take the time now to add a bit of extra insulation to your water pipes – this should help prevent them from freezing. A water pipe is any pipe or tube designed to transport treated drinking water to consumers, so don’t forget about all the pipes in hidden places throughout your home. Generally, you’ll want to add more insulation to pipes specifically closer to the exterior of your home, but it never hurts to add a bit of extra to pipes near the home’s interior as well. It might seem like a bit of a chore, but it’s better to add insulation than to pay for expensive repairs later on.
Prevent Drafty Windows
Have you noticed that it’s starting to get a bit cooler inside your home despite having switched the heating on? It could be that you’ve got drafty windows and doors that are letting in too much cool air from the outside of your home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, air leaks around your windows and doors can add 10% to your heating bills. This increase in spending is because your heating system has to work harder to heat your home to the same temperature with air leaks. Instead of wasting money to heat air that’s just going to escape your home anyway, seal up any gaps under windows or doors that could cause issues over time.
Prepare Your Basement
If you’ve got a basement to your home, there are a few extra steps you should likely take to keep your home comfortable through the colder months. While you might not necessarily be used to pest problems in your home, you’ll want to check for any potential areas where pests might enter. They’re more likely to be found in your basement, and as temperatures drop, critters are more likely to seek refuge in the warmth of your home. Unfortunately, wild rodents harbor and spread over 200 million human pathogens, so you’ll want to keep them outside of your house. If you do find a pest problem in your basement or anywhere else in your home, call your local pest control to figure out how to handle the situation.
As fall sets in and temperatures drop, now’s the perfect time to get your home ready for the colder weather and seasonal changes. Taking the time to prep your home now can help you save money and energy in the coming months, while also keeping your home nice and cozy. What home projects do you want to complete before winter arrives?