From Guest Blogger Lizzie Weakly: Seven Ways to Ready your Home for the Cold Winter Months

The fall is the time of the year that homeowners have to prepare their property for the cold weather. If you do not take the necessary preparations, then you may have to spend money on repairs. Here are seven ways you can ready your home for winter.

Get Your Furnace Inspected

Getting your furnace inspected before fall prolongs the life of your system and reduces your energy bills. A technician does this by inspecting your heat pump to make sure it is clean and in good condition. He also checks for carbon-monoxide leakage.

Prevent Ice Dams

Ice dams are the icicles that form along the side of your house. They can wet the insulation in your attic and cause melt water to flow in your home. A contractor can prevent ice dams by locating and fixing air leaks.

Drain Your Lawn irrigation System

Draining your lawn irrigation system is another way to prepare for the winter months. It prevents the pipes in your sprinkler system from leaking and freezing. This job should be done by a professional.

Test Your Sump Pump

The purpose of a sump pump is to collect the water that forms around your foundation and redirect it in another direction. During the winter months, the discharge hose on the pump can freeze. If your sum pump freezes, then the water will have nowhere to go and cause damage to your home. It helps to have someone to test your sump pump every few months.

Insulate Your Ducts

A home’s duct system is very important to how well your heating and cooling system functions. To prepare for the winter, you need to properly seal and insulate your duct system. A home can lose 20 percent of its central heating when the ducts are not tightly sealed.

Wrap Your Pipes

Wrapping your pipes that are in unheated locations is one of the ways to prepare for colder weather. These pipes are usually located in your garage, crawl spaces and beneath your house. They are wrapped with heat tape, pipe wrap and foam insulation.

Install Double-Paned Windows

Double-paned windows are a good way to winterize your house. They keep air from coming in and going out. If you cannot afford to get every window in your house done at the same time, then you can do one or two at a time.

Many families spend a lot of time inside during the winter. You can make your home comfortable by making sure everything is functioning properly. Professionals like those at Bishop Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling can help you with making the necessary preparations to winterize your home.