Have you made sure your house is draft proof? You should make it a point to stop making your house so chilly and cold, and draft-proof your house. You do not have to suffer from the coldness any longer, you can actually do the deed yourself and for cheap. All you need to do is remember a few things, and you can do the entire deed yourself. But remember the following things before doing something about it.
Make an Inventory
Older houses have colder drafts, and they have areas which are often worn out and damaged, and can let the cold in. to prevent it, make sure your house is in the best condition. Go around the house and inspect it out thoroughly, noting the things that might be the cause of the drafts. Make a list of the places.
Clean the Furnace or Heating Stove
Do you know that your heating stove or furnace, that is your primary source of warmth, might not work as efficiently as you would like it if it is not well-maintained? Check and clean your furnace or stove to clean it properly. Use a can of air and a sweeper, and read up the instruction manual of the furnace to know the steps to clean it. After cleaning it, you would be getting more warmth. Sometimes, furnaces are too old and so they do not work well. Get a new one, and ask a professional to do the installation for you.
Check the Baseboards and Outlets
Check your baseboards and outlets. They can let cold drafts enter the house. Feel these things, and if you can feel the drafts coming from the edges of your outlet, you would have to use some kind of caulking to actively block the area. If the outlet itself is the cause, get a simple child safety plug and use it. Use it for the baseboards as well. If the air is coming from the top, then use a thin strip of the same.
Look Under Your Sink
One of the least expected places to look for drafts would be underneath your sink, but it is actually a viable place from where drafts come in. the holes meant for your pipes may be larger than the size, allowing excess air to drift in. So to avoid it, spray the area with some sort of good quality insulation like foam insulation, or stuff the hole with some regular holes insulation.
Pay Attention to Windows and Doors
Windows and doors can be a way for draft to enter:
- Windows: cut out your old caulking and replace them with new ones to prevent the draft coming in.
- Doors: check and replace the weather stripping, and replace it by pulling it off and scraping with a putty knife to bring the sticky parts off.
Wrap Your Porch with Plastic
Use plastic all over the porch area to prevent chill and cut down on dirt and mess. Get a big roll and install it easily.
While doing these steps, keep in mind to do them before winter arrives, and clean and wash up before the cold weather hits you. Use appropriate safety measures while using power tools.