Winterizing Your Home
By David Domenichini
Living in California has its perks and one of those perks is not having extreme weather conditions . This year has been a dry one , so you may not be
thinking about how to prepare for winter . However , winter is just around the corner and we never know what Mother Nature has in store for us . Now is the time to start thinking about winterizing your home .
D . R . Domenichini Construction was named Morgan Hill Business of the Year in 2012 and recently voted ( 2014 ) Best Contractor in Morgan Hill by the Morgan Hill Times . The owner David Domenichini , resides in the Morgan Hill area and brings nearly 20 years of experience to his family-owned and operated business . Follow them on Facebook for weekly project updates , hints and tips , giveaways and more . You can also visit their website at www . drdcon . com , or call 408.691.3282 .
Here are our top six things you can do to prepare for the winter months ahead :
Plug Hidden Leaks Cold air can enter your home in many ways . About 30 percent of the cold air that leaks into your home is through holes where pipes , vents , or electrical conduits run through walls , ceilings , and floors . Start by checking under the sinks in your bathroom and kitchen , as well as in the basement for gaps around pipes . An insulating foam sealant should be applied to fill these gaps , or caulking can also be used for smaller areas . This not only helps minimize air loss , but also helps keep critters out . Wrap Pipes To Prevent Freezing On those really cold evenings or early mornings , there is a possibility of water freezing in your plumbing pipes . The pressure can cause these pipes to burst , which can be extremely costly to fix . Wrapping pipes with foam insulation is a quick and inexpensive fix to help avoid this nightmare . Have Your Furnace Inspected Out of sight , out of mind , right ? No one is thinking about the furnace when it ’ s sunny and 90 degrees outside , but you ’ ll be glad you did when you need to warm up your home . Schedule to have a professional check to make sure the fan belt is running correctly . They can also apply oil to the bearings and vacuum out dust and debris . Now is also the time to replace the filter . It ’ s also a good idea to have a couple on hand so you can replace them before they become clogged . Make Your Windows Airtight Air leaking through windows in your home can mean almost literally “ money out the window .” If you have an older home with single-paned windows , consider replacing with new dual-pane windows . At a minimum , consider applying caulking around the window frames and weather-stripping between the sash and the window frame to help prevent air leaks . Add Insulation Many homes don ’ t have insulation in the attic . It is recommended to have a depth of 12 inches of insulation to keep the heat from escaping the home . There are options now that are eco-friendly , help prevent mildew , discourage pests and can impede fire . Good insulation can help your home feel more comfortable by stabilizing temperature and helping reduce exterior noises . Repair Ductwork Ductwork that is not well-connected and insulated can lead to a significant amount of lost heat and wasted money . Ducts can be found in the attic , basement and crawlspaces . Repairing any pinches and gaps will help keep the heated air flowing at full capacity into the home .
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