3 Projects to Winterize Your Home In Austin

Winter is coming. Is your home prepared? Here are 3 things you can do in Austin to prepare for the season so you can relax and enjoy the great things that winter has to offer.

 

Drafts in your space mean higher energy costs. And even if our Austin winter might be mild, servicing drafty spots can also make sure your home stays cool during the summer. You can improve your home’s insulation and eliminate drafts by:

• Adding extra insulation to your attic and/or crawlspace. Talk with a professional to see if your current insulation is up to snuff.

• Examining your windows and doors for leaks and caulking gaps that you find.

• Putting in energy-efficient window treatments such as Polywood® plantation shutters with added weatherstripping. Polywood shutters insulate up to 70% better than a normal wood shutter and impede as much as 30° of airflow through the window.

• Getting a home audit to learn how air is seeping out of your home and what you can do to fix it.

2. Protect against water damage

Water damage can hose down your holiday fun. Before the temperature drops too low or the wet season starts, take preemptive measures to keep water flowing where it was designed to go, rather than ending up where it might damage your house. Here’s what you can do:

• Clear your gutters of any leaves or debris so that water and melted snow can flow through them. Plugged gutters can result in dams which can damage your roof or result in water leaking inside.

• Make sure your pipes are warm because frozen water pipes may rupture and result in major interior damage. Hinging on your climate and home, you may want to speak with a professional about insulating pipes near the exterior of your home or even wrapping heat tape around them. Be sure to keep your thermostat at no lower than 55° at night, especially if you’re out and about.

3. Get Professional Inspections

When winter comes, you want to ensure that your house is running in perfect form. Yearly check-ups of the most important systems in your house can make sure yours is safe and energy efficient.

• Heating, AC, and water heater. Your ventilation system and water heater are some of the most notable energy users in your house. An inspection will make sure your systems are efficient and safe. Now is also an ideal time to get your water heater flushed out to get rid of blockage.

• Chimney. Inspections allow you to enjoy the ambiance of your chimney without worrying about soot buildup.

Relax and Enjoy The Season

Once your house is properly equipped for winter, you can enjoy all it has to offer in Austin, from a drink by the fireplace to get-togethers with family. And if you’re in the market for a stylish new look for your home this winter, contact us to discuss window coverings such as shutters, barn doors, or blinds for any room in your home. Get started by calling Sunburst Shutters Austin at 512-549-6077 for a complimentary in-home consultation.