Changing Weather and Some Tips on How to Be Prepared
For many across the country — and the world — changing weather patterns, especially from warmer weather to colder weather, means preparing the home for the inevitable intrusion of wind, rain, and more.
What does that involve? One would be weatherproofing, which means you are proactive in protecting your home from suffering from damage. Even a small freezing-cold draft entering a home and affecting a pipe can freeze it and cause it to burst, resulting in a water damage situation.
Cold weather
While it doesn’t happen very often here in Florida, we have had winters where we have suffered hard freezes, so you need to be prepared. 1977 snow in Tampa
Here are some easy time-saving tips to ensure you not only save money on your gas or electric bill but also minimize the risk of damage to your home in very cold weather. Many of these tips are helpful in keeping your AC bill lower also.
Inspection
This means start looking for openings — any openings — in your home that can allow air or water intrusion.
For air intrusion, check around doors and windows, and this is pretty easy if you just hold a facial tissue up around potential cracks and crevices. If there is any type of air leak, the tissue move and show that.
For possible water intrusion, look for water stains on ceilings, around windows and doors, any place that seems possible for water to enter your home. Plug any openings you find with quality materials or have a professional come out and make repairs to the roof or gutter system.
Filters and vents
You want the maximum efficiency from your air conditioning system so change all filters on a regular basis, usually monthly.
Now might be a good time for a professional inspection of your duct work, annual maintenance of your AC unit and having the ducts cleaned, if they are soiled.
Replace old weatherproofing
All your doors and windows should have weatherproofing material. With time and weather factors, these weatherproofing strips can and will age and become brittle and fail.
Purchase quality replacement weatherproofing materials and replace them if you notice they are not providing an air-tight seal. It’s not a bad idea to replace them every few years no matter how they appear. The weatherproofing helps keep the AC in your home from seeping out through cracks in the doors and window frames.
Prevent to protect
With a thorough inspection and a little work on your home, you can prevent issues from arising during cold weather. Spend the time to do it right.
However, if something bad does occur — it happens! — and you suffer from any type of damage to your home, even if it’s not due to changing weather, do the right thing and get professional help right away. Call your favorite restoration company at Accent American Inc 813-621-6015 . After all, it pays to call a pro!
