How to Check for a Winterized Home
Homes in colder areas, such as the northern half of the United States, need to be equipped for winter. Snow and extremely low temperatures cause damage to a home that is not prepared for the frigid months. Simply looking at a home does not tell an onlooker whether it has been winterized. Access to the land and the inside of the home is necessary to make sure it is winterized correctly. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Lighter
- Incense
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Instructions
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Look outside first. Check to see whether the gutters are clean. Inspect all windows to see whether storm windows have been installed.
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Walk inside and proceed to the attic area of the home. There should be an extra layer of insulation added to existing insulation to keep the heat in the house during the winter.
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Light a stick of incense in the attic to check for drafts and leaky areas. Hold the incense near attic windows, then proceed to each floor of the home. If a breeze is present, the smoke from the incense will swirl and move. Any leaks or drafts should be fixed during the winterizing process.
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Look in the fireplace, if the house has one, and look up the chimney. The fireplace and chimney should be clear of any debris in preparation for use during winter months.
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Turn on the ceiling fans. In winter, the fans should turn clockwise, which moves warm air from the ceiling to the floor. Change the batteries in all smoke detectors before moving to the basement or heating area.
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Review the furnace, ducts and pipes in the home. The furnace needs to be turned on to make sure it works. The ducts need to be cleared before winter to avoid blocking moving warm air. The pipes should be wrapped to prevent freezing, especially those that bring water into the home from the outside.
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References
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
