If you have just recently bought or come into an older home in one way or another, then you’ve likely gotten a good idea that it is going to take a little work to bring it up to modern standards. We’re not just talking about making a home makeover, either. There are practical needs that many older homes aren’t as well suited to accommodate and when it comes to the winter, you’re going to feel some of them in your bones. Every home needs a little TLC to prepare it for the cold, but older homes especially might need some closer care. Here are a few ways you can make sure your home can take care of you, too.
Make sure the heating is right
Before you do anything else, it’s crucial to make sure that your heating system is effectively and efficiently able to reach the entirety of the home, while being safe at the same time. Old heating systems can be some of the most energy-wasting and even sometimes dangerous appliances in the home. As such, it’s worth getting in touch with teams like Caron & Waltz heating specialists. You should inspect your heating system once a year to make sure there are no problems with it, but that initial servicing might uncover some problems that can necessitate repairs or even a replacement, so you should consider getting ready to invest some money into effective heating.
Isolate and seal up any drafts
Every home can experience a cold draft that just doesn’t seem to quit. However, when it comes to old homes, you’re likely to feel them a lot more often unless you take the time to ensure the home is as effectively sealed as possible. It doesn’t always mean that you have to replace windows or doors that aren’t doing their jobs, however. It might just be a case of a fit that has but the tiniest of gaps. However, even the tiniest of gaps can be enough to let a draft steal the heat from your home. As such, make sure you know how to find and caulk up air leaks to take care of it.
Look to your windows and doors
As mentioned, not every draft has to mean it’s time to replace your windows and doors. However, there is no denying that old homes that haven’t been updated in some time are likely to have fixtures that are far less effective when it comes to helping the home retain heat. As such, it can not only a visual upgrade but also a major boost to the heating efficiency of your home to rely on services like Renewal by Andersen window replacement. Air leaks can happen anywhere in the home, but inefficient windows are often some of the most profound culprits. A good new set of windows is just as important in the summer, too, when you want to stop the heat from coming in through the windows willy-nilly, as well.
Does your home have insulation?
If heat is escaping your home, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s escaping through the doors and windows, however. If your home doesn’t have any insulation at this moment, then you might be able to look into getting free or discounted insulation based on what grants and energy efficiency schemes are available in your area. You should about insulating more than just your walls and roof, as well. Check to see if your plumbing pipes need insulation, as well. The water in your pipes can freeze in winter, causing them to expand and, in some cases, burst, which can do an expensive amount of water damage to your home.
Check above your head, too
Another yearly check that you should make, but one that is likely to cost you more in the first year that you make it in an old home, is that of the roof. Roofing of all materials has a certain lifespan. After that lifespan, the materials that make up the individual tiles can start to fail, meaning that they let the water through and the warm air from inside the home escape more easily. A roof replacement from Just Roofing and similar teams can help you put a stop to this. However, you don’t always necessarily need to replace a whole roof. If just a single or a couple of tiles are cracked, broken, or missing, you could probably just replace those alone.
Get your mind in the gutter
The roofing isn’t the only thing about you that might need a second glance. The gutters surrounding the roof can play just as important a role in the health of your home. In particular, they can be as much of a risk to the heating and safety of the home if you’re not careful. Debris such as leaves, twigs, and other matter will build up in the gutter over time, and this speeds up especially in the autumn. As such, it’s a good idea to clear out the gutter as you’re heading into winter. If it starts to overflow, it can not only cause issues like leaks into the home, but it can also result in hanging icicles and water flooding the surrounding earth, then freezing, which can affect your home’s foundation.
Don’t forget your hearth
One feature that is almost exclusive to older homes nowadays is a hearth in the home, complete with the fireplace and a chimney to let smoke escape. It may not be the most efficient way to heat a home, but the comfort that a crackling fireplace offers is second to none and you might be tempted to stock up on wood and get ready to warm up your nights. However, before you do that, you should make sure to check and sweep the chimney. Otherwise, if it has become blocked up by soot and other particulates, you can end up smoking out the whole house when you try to set a fire.
Don’t freeze your toes off. Make sure you follow the tips above to ensure your old home has your back.
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