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4 DIY Projects to Protect Your Home From Extreme Weather

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It is less expensive to do your home renovations than to hire a contractor. While you should leave complex projects like HVAC repairs and installations to the professionals, you can perform some weatherization projects yourself. The following do-it-yourself (DIY) will not only save you money, but it can also help you avoid costly repairs.

Weatherize Your Pipes

When meteorologists warn the temperature may dip below freezing, they mean below the temperature that water freezes: 32 degrees. The forecasters usually follow the warning with viewer instruction: run your faucet so that your water pipes do not freeze. That’s because when water freezes, it expands. The frozen water puts your pipes under extreme pressure which often leads to a burst pipe. This is not only a plumbing nightmare, but it can also lead to extensive water damage. You can avoid this costly scenario by weatherizing your pipes.

Insulate your pipes with insulation or pipe sleeves. Make sure you do not leave spaces without insulation. If your home exterior has any cracks, seal the cracks with either spray foam or caulk.

weatherizing your pipes

Seal Window Cracks

Drafty windows are a common and costly problem, especially in extreme weather conditions like a hot summer day or a below-freezing (cold) winter night. During the window installation process, your installer caulks around the window frame to prevent air from leaking between the window and the bordering house structure. Over time, your house can develop cracks the window caulk, causing air leaks.

The draft is noticeable in cold temperatures. When your home has breezy areas, your HVAC runs inefficiently as it tries to meet the thermostat requirements. The fallout includes uncomfortable family members, an overworked system, and a costly utility bill. You can avoid these consequences by caulking the cracks or weather-stripping around the window edges.

Install Door Sweeps 

Install door sweeps along the door bottom if it is not sealed correctly. Your door base may have a gap for several reasons including improper installation, ill-fitting door, or house settling. Door gaps create a draft that feels as if you have a window partially opened. Like other air leaks, it causes HVAC inefficiency and higher utility bills. Fortunately, door sweeps are simple to install.  Make sure you connect your door sweeps in the direction your door swings.

Winterize Your Lawn

Image via Flickr by  Ian Lucero

Fall is a great time to winterize your lawn since the weather is moist and mild and your grass is preparing to store nutrients for the winter.

  1. Spread fertilizer on your yard so that it gets the nutrients it needs.
  2. Next, aerate your grass. Your grass will absorb the water and fertilizer better.
  3. Spread cool season grass evenly.
  4. Lastly, water your lawn.

Preventive Home DIY projects usually have multiple benefits. Sealing air leaks produce year-round benefits and reduce your energy cost. Other projects, such as pipe installation help you divert costly home disasters.

No matter how simple your DIY project seems, make sure you follow directions, think safety first, measure twice, and work with a partner.