Winter doesn’t come in like a wrecking ball; it sneaks in quietly behind the scenes. A tiny draft in a window, a drip from the checked roof tile, and before you know it, the temperatures have dropped, and you’re at home, unable to get warm, your heating bill through the roof despite wearing 3 layers.
But you can stop all of that with a few clever changes and jobs completed now before the real cold sets in. It will save a lot of time, money, and stress later on.
Seal Gaps Before They Grow
Walk around your home on a windy day with all windows and doors closed. Can you feel a draft? That’s your money being blown away. Honestly, it’s not dramatic; it’s the truth.
A roll of weatherstrip. A tube of caulk and jobs done. That’s all it takes to tackle drafts and close those gaps up. And it’s worth it because the Department of Energy says sealing leaks can save you as much as 10% on heating costs. And while that doesn’t seem like a lot, it adds up, especially when making you more energy-saving decisions.
Clear Drains and Gutters
Commonly overlooked until it’s too late or problems have started to crop up. Gutters fill up, they get blocked with debris, they can freeze, and they can crack and fail on you. Then you’re dealing with leaks, damp and warped boards, and waterlogged ground.
Scoop them clean, make sure downspouts point away from the house, and don’t create a puddle on the ground.
If they’re already sagging or split, now is the time to call in roofing and gutter services to restore them to full functionality.
Check the Attic
The attic doesn’t lie, and if there are any issues, they’ll give away its secrets easily. From cold air pouring through to thin insulation and damp reveals, expose your home’s secrets and alert you to issues.
Stick your head up there, if you see daylight through the boards, that’s a problem. Check your installation and add extra layers if required, check your roof for missing or damaged tiles that need sorting asap, and any drafts need identifying and blocking. Forbes Home reckons the average homeowner can save around 15% on heating and cooling bills with proper attic insulation. Add that to the 10% from sealing gaps, and you can see where your money is going now, can’t you?
Protect Pipes
It’s the hidden pipes that go first. The ones tucked away where you can’t see them or forget they exist. You don’t notice there’s something wrong until disaster strikes.
Wrap all the pipes you can see in foam—it’s cheap and takes minutes to do. The rest? The ones that aren’t exposed? Keep them warm. Leave cabinet doors open on icy nights to allow heat to move around. And if you’re heading out of town, don’t turn the thermostat off completely. Set it low and steady. You’re not heating an empty house; you’re stopping a frozen disaster before it happens.
