Not to sound like a Game of Thrones character but, winter’s coming and it’s promising to be a long one. One of the best ways in which you can prepare for the coming winter is through vinyl siding Shreveport, LA, which involves eliminating all the stuff that you won’t need during the season.
Let’s look at how junk removal and other methods could help you to prepare for winter and result in a more comfortable, clean and energy efficient home.
Clean the Furnace
Wintertime is the season when you and your family need your furnace the most, so it makes sense to ensure that it’s in peak working condition before the season starts. The first step in doing so is to inspect the furnace for any dirt or grime that might impede its proper working function.
Then, clean the furnace while making sure to remove the old filter and replace it with a new one in order to improve the furnace’s performance. Professional technicians are available to do the whole process for you if you aren’t inclined to do so yourself.
Eliminate Air Leaks
While it’s hard to notice air leaks during the summer season because of the relief they bring to the searing outside warmth, they tend to have the opposite effect in winter. Now you can nip pesky air leaks in the bud by sealing any cracks or openings that you come across using caulk. It’s also a good idea to install some weather-stripping to the doors and other openings in your home so as to protect it from harsh weather conditions. Eliminating air leaks will also save you a lot in energy bills while keeping your entire home nice and warm.
Clean the Gutters
Having dirt and debris inside the gutters will impede your drainage system’s ability to work well, resulting in ice dams, flooding and increased water and repair bills. You can avoid all this by cleaning your home’s gutters before the winter begins, starting with the removal of all debris that you find inside them, followed by a water test that involves running water through the gutters.
If the water runs freely out of the gutters, then you can rest assured that they’re clean, while any impediments in the water flow will mean that the gutters need the attention of a professional. Speaking of which, you’ll also do well to ask your plumber to extend the downspouts in order to redirect water far away from your home’s foundation. This comes in handy when you want to prevent mold and leaks in your basement.
Save Energy on Outdoor Lights
Since you’ll probably leave your outdoor lights on most of the time during the mostly dark winter months, it’s advisable to replace your old light bulbs with energy-efficient ones like CFL and LED’s from the Energy Star or Energy Saver brands.
Clear Out the Junk
While you’ve been busy sending the kids back to school during the summer and early fall months, you may not have had time to clear out the unwanted ‘stuff’, but now’s a really good time to do so.
Although you can remove the junk yourself, Shreveport siding companies can help you a lot and make things easy by offering you different options and packages so that you don’t’ feel pressured to collect everything at once. You can also call on them to collect the junk at different stages of the clearing process.