It’s that time of year, the weather is turning COLD… or maybe it has already turned cold in your neck of the woods. We had a few weeks of sub-freezing temperatures in October, but then we’ve been lucky enough to be back up in the 50’s for a few weeks. We’ll take the nice fall weather for as long as we can get it. Soon we’ll have snow. Winter brings unpredictable weather and dropping temperatures. Drafts and leaks in your home can add up on your utility bills. Fall is a perfect time for home winterization before the cold temps.
5 preventative maintenance tips to prepare your home for winter
1 – Stop cold air from getting in
Small cracks and gaps between window frames and doors allow water, insects and cold air to get inside. Seal windows and doors – Protect and keep your home warm by replacing old, cracked of crumbling exterior caulk with new sealant like DynaFlex Ultra. It is mold, mildew and algae resistant. It is made for all-weather and waterproof to protect against cracking, crumbling and discoloring over time.
Use MaxFill expanding sealant to fill any large gaps in plumbing, electrical and cable/phone services leading from the exterior to interior of your home.
2 – Protect your pipes
If you have any exterior water spigots for house water, make sure to remove any connected hoses before it freezes. The water from the hose can trap water in the spigot and crack it, causing big problems later (don’t ask me how I know!) 🙂 If you have any pipes in your home that pass through unheated areas, like crawlspaces, insulate them with foam rubber sleeves or fiberglass insulation. In extreme temperature areas, you may need to use heating tape before insulation.
3 – Defend against pests
Avoid issues with mice and other pests trying to join your family this winter by sealing gaps and cracks inside your garage, attic, basement, under sinks or around pipe/electrical pass-throughs using DAP Mouse Shield. It is specially treated to block mice, birds, bats and tree squirrels, as well as insects. The foam also works to seal and insulate gaps.
4 – Clean your furnace filter
If your furnace filter is dirty, your furnace has to work harder. Regularly changing the filters in your central air and heating system can significantly improve it’s efficiency. Most filters should be changed each month, but higher end filters can be changed as little as every 6 months.
5 – Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
When the furnace is working harder in the winter, unfortunately, there is also a spike in carbon monoxide poisoning incidents. Protect your home and family by making sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working by using the test button on each device. I don’t know about you, but my smoke detector batteries only go dead at 2am, making us frantically run around to find which detector is low. ha ha 🙂
Dap Giveaway
To help you and your home keep ultra-warm and cozy this winter, DAP is giving away a fabulous winterization giveaway.
Dap is giving 1 lucky winner:
- Dap Products: DynaFlex Ultra, MaxFill insulation, Mouse Shield insulation
- 4 soft and cozy sherpa blankets
- 2 pairs of Hot Feet heated socks
- Ironclad work gloves
- Ghiradelli hot cocoa
Enter the Giveaway!
Giveaway runs from Nov 16, 2019 – Nov 30, 2019. Open to US residents only.
The prize package for this giveaway is courtesy of DAP Products!
Tim says
I think our windows are the primary source of heat loss. We replace the kerf moldings around our doors whenever they begin to show signs of wear, so that usually isn’t a problem area for us.
Michelle J. says
I need to winterize our guest room!
Lisa says
I want to win the blankets! Thanks for a super awesome blog!
Amy says
Good Luck!!!
Cami says
This stuff is great for winterizing your home.
Amy says
And keeping away unwanted guests 😉
Mya Murphy says
Our condo is extremely drafty, so the windows, pipes..and lord knows our car!! We haven’t even begun yet.
Amy says
🙂 Sounds like your list is as long as mine!
Elle says
I need to winterize the kitchen! It has a really large window and faces what seems to be the colder side of the house.
Samantha says
I need to clean out the AC/Heater filter.
carol clark says
my windows need to be winterize i did the doors and i need to do that
bn100 says
windows
Trisha Musgrave says
I need to winterize my living room windows and door!
Sonya Allstun says
Needing to caulk around doors and windows and actually get new windows but the DAP products are awesome to help with the air leaks
Jenny Ham says
My bedroom windows need to be winterized I can feel the cold coming right through them.
kelly woods says
Thank you for sharing
Scott Winchester says
I could really use your products to help seal up my basement
Christin W says
I need to winterize our window seals.