Last Updated on December 6, 2020
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Even though the Winter can be a lovely season, the meteorological phenomena that usually take place around this time of the year can be a danger to your safety. While it’s vital that you try to protect yourself during the cold weather, it’s also very important that you engage in some winter preparation to keep your home safe as well!
Home maintenance is important all year round, but especially during a particularly rainy and windy season. To help you prevent any disasters, we bring you 5 useful winter home maintenance tips!
1. Check Your Windows And Your Doors
Winter home tip number one: Keep yourself cozy. More important than covering yourself with layers and layers of blankets or turning on all the heating devices in your home, you should be worried about checking for any window or door leaks. These gaps and leaks will allow cold air inside your home, which can be bad for your health. Not to mention that your heating will also escape, which represents a waste of energy and money. The easiest way to detect these gaps is by putting your hand close to the openings in order to feel for cracks. However, visual inspection is also important. If you detect unusual movements on your closed doors and windows, the chances are that there might be a leak somewhere. Another way to check for leaks is through the candle test. Turn off all the heathers, furnace, and fans around your home and close all the windows and doors. Light up a candle near the doors and windows and see if the flame moves. If it does, it’s time to start repairing those gaps. If you don’t feel like doing this work by yourself, seek the help of a professional!
2. Do A Full Check On Your Furnace
Before Winter begins with full force, check and see if your furnace is still working. One of the most valuable winter tips for homeowners is to change the filter on your furnace every three months. It’s the best way to ensure that this device functions properly, according to experts. Then, try to adjust the temperatures on your thermostat to make them energy efficient. 22°C during the day is the recommended temperature, and 20°C at night should be enough. Of course, this will depend on your tolerance when it comes to cold weather. If you decide to go on vacation during the winter season, do not turn on your heater. Keeping it turned on to at least 10°C can prevent the bursting of your water pipes if they freeze. To ensure your safety and the safety of your loved ones, be sure to equip your household with carbon monoxide detectors. Your furnace might release dangerous levels of this gas, that can be poisonous and cause oxygen deprivation. Test this device often, and do not forget to change its batteries.
