Common Homeowner Mistakes + Winter Home Tips to Prevent Them

Now that the winter months are here and the cold is settling in, many homeowners plan to hunker down in their houses and stay comfortable until spring. Even though it can be unpleasant to maintain your home in the cold, you should avoid making basic maintenance mistakes with your home this season. To help you avoid damages to your home due to freezing weather or harsh winter storms, learn about the common mistakes homeowners make during the wintertime.

 Common Mistakes Homeowners Make in the Winter

When it comes to the winter season, people may tend to slack on keeping up with home maintenance that can protect against damage from cold weather. By acknowledging the common homeowner mistakes that occur in the winter, you can prevent damages from happening to your home and putting a strain on your wallet. Think you might be guilty of wintertime mistakes? Check out some common errors homeowners make and how to avoid them below.

Mistake 1: Not taking advantage of free energy audits

One common mistake homeowners often make is not scheduling a free energy audit. By calling your utility company, you can schedule a free or low-cost energy audit. This will help you save anywhere between 5 to 30 percent on your bill just by making upgrades that are recommended by your company. 

Mistake 2: Not insulating your pipes

Another costly mistake homeowners make is forgetting to insulate indoor and outdoor pipes. By the time that winter is in full swing, you may not need your backyard hoses and outdoor water systems, but they’re still in danger of freezing. Covering your pipes will limit cold air from freezing them and causing them to burst. 

Additionally, wrapping your indoor pipes with foam insulation will also protect them from freezing. Don’t forget to open up your cupboards inside to allow warm air to circulate and keep your pipes in working condition. 

Mistake 3: Stacking firewood too close to your home

Another mistake homeowners make is keeping firewood too close to your home. While we all love a good cozy fire in our fireplaces during winter, stashing logs too close to your house can bring in pests. 

To limit the chance of bugs entering your home, keep firewood at least six feet away from your exterior walls. You can also keep them in another structure like a shed or garage to protect them from insects and the elements. Make sure to inspect your firewood before bringing it inside. 

Mistake 4: Not weatherproofing your windows 

You may not be aware of all of the air traveling through the cracks and crevices of your windows. Even though your windows may be latched shut and secured, cold air may still be finding its way through and warm air may be finding its way out. If your home is feeling drafty or is hard to keep warm, you may want to check all your windows.

Using a window insulation shrink kit is an easy and effective way to properly seal windows. Apply a generous amount of tape or adhesive around your window, attach a clear film, and wait for the tape to dry. Keeping out the cold has never been so affordable!           

 Mistake 5: Not humidifying your home

You can make your home a bit warmer by installing a whole-home or bedroom humidifier. Moist, humid air is better at transferring heat more quickly than dry air, so adding a humidifier will help to heat your house more efficiently. 

Using a humidifier will also allow you to feel more comfortable in your own home despite freezing temperatures outside. It can help prevent dry skin, protect your wood furnishings, and keep you warmer during the colder months.

Mistake 6: Not tidying fall debris

We all know how tedious it can be to clear out old fall leaves, dirt, and overgrown foliage, but cleaning these out of your gutters will prevent potential water damage and help drainage. Blockage from leaves and debris in your gutters can lead to costly damages like ice dams, so don’t make this mistake with your home.

Use a ladder and garbage bags to throw away leaves on your roof and gutters. You can also use a rake and shovel to clear away leaves on your lawn. This will protect your grass that will be growing come spring.

 Mistake 7: Not setting your thermostat

A simple mistake that has an easy fix is not setting your thermostat to a consistent temperature in the winter. This will help you save energy and fight high utility costs. Find a comfortable temperature for you and your home and keep your thermostat set at that everyday. 

Remember that for every thermostat degree lower in your home, you can save between 1-3% of your heating costs. If you like to bundle up beside your fireplace, keeping this in mind may help you cut down on your expensive gas bill. When you’re not home, consciously lowering your thermostat will also help you to save money. 

If you are looking to program or update your thermostat, choosing a smart thermostat may be ideal for you. Using a smart thermostat, you can update the temperature of your home remotely, stay up to date with costs, and even control the heat and air when you’re not there. Using these techniques, you can save money and stay comfortable all season long. 

 Home Tips for Winter

Depending on where you live, the shock of cold, winter weather may have appeared overnight. Heating bills become pricey overnight too. Preparing your home for seasonal changes and their costs is an essential part of being a homeowner. Below are a few winter home tips that can help you protect your home until spring. 

Tip 1: Try an Under Door Draft Stopper

Investing in an under door draft stopper can not only save you some cash but can also keep your house properly insulated and warm. There are many colors and sizes of under door draft stoppers that even be used as doors swing open and close. On top of keeping your house warm, under door draft stoppers prevent dust and outdoor debris from entering your home. 

Tip 2: Use Blackout Curtains 

You’ll also want to purchase curtains that are better suited for winter and will do you and your home some favors. Blackout curtains block out UV rays and act as heat insulators. They keep frigid air from seeping in from your windows when hung up and even limit noise exposure from outside. 

You can find blackout curtains in a wide variety of stylish colors and dimensions to fit any window. If you have large windows or doors in your house, blackout curtains and door stoppers may both be great options for you.

Tip 3: ​​Make a claim if damage occurs 

Standard home insurance will cover many types of damage that happens to your house in the winter. Anything like ice, snow, wind, hail or water damage should be covered but things like flooding will not. Whether you need to replace your roof or fix a burst pipe, check your home insurance policy to see exactly what coverage you have before filing a claim. 

If you do file a claim, remember to take pictures of the damage to send to your insurance agent. This will help you accurately report the severity of the damage. Additionally, if you get a temporary repair, remember to keep your receipts to get reimbursed later. 

Conclusion: Protecting your home during the wintertime may seem overwhelming and it may be hard to know where to start. No one loves doing home maintenance in freezing temperatures, but avoiding common mistakes and using these winter home tips to get through the winter will help you be a responsible homeowner. 

Remember to stay aware of winter home mistakes that could end up costing you money and damage to your home. Whether you are in need of new appliances this winter or are looking to cut down on heating bills, you can prepare your home to outlast the cold. For more ways to learn more about how to improve and maintain your home, visit Billy.com.