7 Mistakes Homeowners Make During Cold Weather

Winter weather is a wonderful time to huddle by a warm fire and enjoy
some well-earned relaxation. The cold weather invites you to ignore home projects and wait for spring to beckon you outside again.

Unfortunately, ofen homeowners don’t realize that they are making critical mistakes which can cost thousands of dollars to correct.

Here's the 7 Mistakes Homeowners Make During Cold Weather:

1. Skimping on Small Protection - A little frozen water can do a lot of
damage. Faucet protectors, foam insulation, and leak detectors are
an easy weekend DIY to protect your home for little cost.

2. Enjoying the Icicles - Icicles are picturesque, but before you put
them on your Facebook feed, it would be better to remove them and
clear the gutter; icicles are evidence of a stoppage in the gutter.

3. Ignoring your Gutters - While we’re talking about gutters, if you see
water pouring down the side of your house, the rain and snow is
missing the gutters entirely and soaking the foundation and walls.  Clean and check your gutters in the spring AND fall to prevent water issues!

4. Cold Air Gaps - It’s not too late to seal those gaps that drain your
house of heat and inflate your energy bills. Use a digital thermometor to see which areas are causing your money to go right out the window!

5. Program Your Thermostat - Be intentional about the temperature
and invest in a programmable thermostat that allows for comfort and
controls costs.  Check with your local electic provider to see if they offer programs where you may be able to get one FREE!

6. Skipping HVAC Tune-ups - Service your furnace before winter to
maintain its efficiency and maximum performance.  A dirty filter can make your furnace work harder and cause your utility bills to skyrocket!

7. Missing a Fireplace Cleaning - A dirty or blocked fireplace can be
dangerous. Annual cleaning is a small price to pay for peace of mind.

Winter is a great time to relax and it’s ok to save those home projects for spring, but these mistakes are easy to avoid and can save thousands ofdollars and the hassle that goes with it!