What advice do you have on winter proofing you home?
![Dsm11496675](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/resources/imgs-responsive/avatar-letters/avatar-D-605BE8.png?size=91x91)
![](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/profile/2020/12/29/49189575_7.jpg?size=50x50)
![](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/profile/2017/06/18/2856418_1.jpg?size=50x50)
![](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/resources/imgs-responsive/avatar-letters/avatar-J-BC70FF.png?size=50x50)
Related Discussions
How to get rid of mice?
![Jessica Hill](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/profile/2021/08/22/107358_1.jpg?size=50x50)
We seem to have some unwelcome Mickeys and Minnies in our house. What is the best way to get rid of them?
How to remove popcorn ceiling with asbestos?
![Abby](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/profile/2021/02/07/50639059_1.jpg?size=50x50)
I want to remove my popcorn ceiling, but it has asbestos in it. How do I go about this safely?
How to caulk baseboard gaps?
![Sharon](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/resources/imgs-responsive/avatar-letters/avatar-S-59A1F4.png?size=50x50)
How do I fill gaps at baseboard, should I caulk? If so, does anyone know how to caulk baseboards?
How to fix squeaky hardwood floors?
![Frisco's Cards](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/media/profile/2017/01/27/18563525_1.jpg?size=50x50)
How do I fix squeaky hardwood floors?
I have a retaining wall made of railroad ties that has rotted. What advice do you have for replacing?
![Smittie](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/resources/imgs-responsive/avatar-letters/avatar-S-F1C40F.png?size=50x50)
Tips for updating or repairing Pella between the glass blinds?
![Evelyn](https://cdn-fastly.hometalk.com/resources/imgs-responsive/avatar-letters/avatar-E-605BE8.png?size=50x50)
Our 14 year old cord controlled blinds are all giving us trouble with raising and lowering and tilting. Many of the top mechanisms are coming unglued from the top. I ... See more
https://macgyverisms.wonderhowto.com/how-to/trick-keeping-your-home-warm-during-winter-for-cheap-0167933/
The big thing is that your home be well insulated, if not, you could save enough money one winter to insulate your home professionally for what is wasted on heating it. Then you want to stop heat loss. Check all the pipe outlets and even electric outlets to be sure there is no air passing through open spaces. Small space losses of heat add up to the same as a foot wide hole in a wall if they were all combined! You do not want to be losing that much heat. Put insulation or calking where needed to insulate those small areas. Then check the windows. Some people use clear plastic kits to put on their windows to cut down drafts along with rubber strips along the frame of the window and doors. These are all helpful, but what we did was use bubble wrap and leave a vertical slit 6 or so inches wide or across the top of the windows in areas where we hardly use. We have 2 spare bedrooms and these windows were covered completely, and a hallway and the bathrooms. Some windows we left without any bubble wrap, it depended on the need and use of the window. I like to see out my kitchen window but we seldom sit at the dining room table to need to see out that window for example. Bubble wrap is inexpensive, lets in light, and cuts down all the cold drafts for extreme winter cold! Hope this helps
Are you having any issue like water freezing?
Several things! I followed some of these ideas:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYOhxK0yauE&t=26s
Here is an article that might be helpful - http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/renovation/advice/g834/winter-proof-home/
Good weather stripping on outside doors, seal all cracks with caulk, put the foam pieces inside your outside wall electric outlets.
One thing I have learned. Buy those covers for your outdoor faucets. Unscrew all your hoses and drain the water and put them inside or in the garage. If you can't afford the covers, take a thick sock and wrap it around your faucet then cover with plastic bag and duct tape.
Weatherize everything. Start at the ceiling and work down. Don't forget to cover outside vents at the foundation. Make sure you water heater has a good insulating "blanket" too.