We rarely ever get snow down here in Southeast LA, but it still gets pretty cold! I don’t think I have to remind anybody about last winter, where we had issues with pipes freezing almost all over the state. At eNg we want you to be prepared to winterize your home sooner rather than later.
I want you to be prepped and ready in case of another deep freeze and be mindful of the steps needed before another winter snafu. Y’all, let’s take a closer look at the top 5 ways to winterize your Southeast Louisiana home!
Winterize Your Home With These 5 Tips
Not all of these winterizing tips will apply to your home, but if you’re willing to put out a little elbow grease, you can rest peacefully no matter how cold it gets outside. And that’s what we all want for Christmas, right?
Let’s get started!
1. Clean Out The Fireplace
Your fireplace is about to be very in-demand! Help it get ready for the on-season by cleaning it out. Keep an eye out for any animal nests or creosote (that’s distilled tar) on the inside of the stack. Opt to have annual inspections just to be sure there’s nothing you might have missed.
There’s a lot you can do on your own to clean up a chimney, but you can’t do it all by yourself. Call a local chimney sweep to remove soot and other debris hiding in hard-to-reach places. If you’re looking for some suggestions around Tangi, give me a call!
2. Caulk Windows & Doors
Did you know that unsealed windows and doors can let in 10 to 11% additional cold air? It’s true! Trying to keep the heat inside a house that’s constantly leaking is an uphill battle, which is why correctly caulking and weatherproofing entry points are a great way to winterize your LA property.
Add weather stripping to the bottoms of doors and windows, and think about installing some door sweeps on entryways that are frequently used. It’s a good idea to use waterproof caulking and foam outlet insulators to block out even more cracks and gaps.
Remember: heat rises. The windows and doors on the top level of your home are bound to lose air faster than others. If you just can’t stand the thought of losing your precious heat, consider installing storm doors and windows.
3. Bring Plants In
Did you think I’d forget about our precious green plant ‘babies?’ Of course not! Once the temps drop to a consistent 45 degrees every night, it’s time to start bringing in annuals, flowers, and other less cold-hardy plants. Most plants can’t handle temperatures lower than that and will start showing signs of damage if left outside.
Natural lighting is much more efficient than house lighting, so don’t be alarmed if you notice your plants yellowing or wilting under your LEDs! Their shock will likely pass within a week or so. If you’re still worried about the state of your flowers, try purchasing a grow light or placing the plants near a sunny window. With enough care and attention, they’ll easily last until the spring!
4. Wrap Pipes
We don’t do this a lot around here, but wrapping pipes is essential to managing a safe winter house! Think of it this way: water expands when it freezes, but pipes don’t. Awkward! Cold snaps will freeze the water in our pipes and split the metal right down the middle, leading to many future headaches.
Wrap your pipes by using fluffy insulation or electrical heat tape, depending on the pipes in question. And don’t try to mess with it if you don’t feel comfortable! There are plenty of people (myself included) who would love to help.
5. Inspect The Property Often
Keep your eyes peeled for anything that could be a problem over the winter! Tree branches hanging over the house, pest infestations, or unsafe structural supports should be addressed STAT.
The custom home builders at eNg Designs and Construction (that’s me) are in your court by keeping you informed as much as possible. If you’re looking to custom build, remodel or re-design, call us at 985-662-539 to schedule an appointment today!
