Moonworks Home Improvement Blog

Preparing for Winter

Recently, we discussed methods of preparing your home heating system for the winter and the many safety issues related to that work. But maintaining a warm and comfortable home during the coldest parts of the year takes more than a properly functioning furnace. There are some other key elements of home maintenance to address before you’ll be truly ready for the coming snows.

Windows
Much as we often think of windows as permanent, unchanging parts of our homes, they are, in fact constantly changing. Frames warp with age, caulk dries out, glass cracks, and, as a result, windows become weak points in your home’s defenses against the cold, allowing winter breezes to blow into your home while allowing expensively heated air to escape. This process of heat transfer not only costs you money, but it wastes energy and increases your carbon footprint.

As winter approaches, inspect your windows (don’t forget the attic and basement!), and look for cracks in the glass or frames. Check the caulking, and ensure that your windows still open and close easily. Warped windows can stick, and this poses a fire hazard, so any time you’re inspecting your windows, it’s a good idea to be thorough and check all the moving parts.

Fun Tip: To check for drafts when there’s no wind, grab a partner and use a candle on one side of the window, a hair dryer on the other. Blow air around the edges of the frame and look for the candle’s flame to flicker if air is getting through. Of course, this only works well for easily accessible windows, but it’s a helpful little trick nonetheless.

If you do find cracks in your window glass or frames, consider replacing these pieces with modern, energy-efficient options that not only help insulate your home better, but also filter out harmful UV rays and reduce the amount of ambient street noise in your home.

Doors
Just as with windows and window frames, doors and door frames are a prime source of heat transfer. Losing heated air and allowing drafts to enter feels like a constant battle for some homeowners, but a little preparation can go a long way in alleviating these problems.

Walk around your home and inspect your doors, just as you did the windows. Repair dried or cracked caulking, and ensure that your doors are not warped or otherwise hard to open. Consider the age of your doors and their overall condition; sometimes, even when there isn’t any obvious damage but a door is quite old, a new door can make such a difference in your home heating efforts that it will quickly pay for itself.

Again, as with the windows, check for drafts. One of the simplest ways to reduce heat transfer at doors and block drafts is by replacing worn or dried out weather stripping. This is a very easy project and one every homeowner should learn to do.

Chimneys and Fireplaces
Before your first fire of the season, it’s really a good idea to have a professional come inspect and clean your fireplace and chimney. Most homeowners simply do not have the equipment or experience necessary to properly clean a chimney, so it’s no surprise there are lots of contractors, particularly in the northeast, who do this sort of work routinely.

If you are going to take this one on yourself, remember to start by opening your fireplace damper. Ideally, when you do this, nothing will happen. But sometimes, leaves, debris, and even small animals can get into a chimney, so be prepared for things to fall. If you do notice debris or pieces of masonry (concrete bits or brick), call a professional who can do a thorough inspection of your chimney before you use it next.

Once the damper is open, check over the damper itself, the grate, and the ash dump. Make sure all are in working order and then check the flue. When looking up into the flue, wear eye protection, and be alert for any moving objects. Ideally, you’ll be able to see sunlight and see well enough to know that the chimney is free of obstructions. The next step is actually sweeping out your chimney, and for this, you should always have a partner.

Do you tackle chimney and fireplace cleaning yourself, or do you call a professional? How often do you clean your chimney?