If winter is headed your way and the season brings harsh temperatures, snow, ice, and other weather disturbances, you will want to make sure your house is ready for the coming events. There are several things you can do during the later months of summer and autumn to ensure your house can stand up to even the harshest of winters. The changes will ensure your home stays safe and comfortable all winter long and many of the changes will increase the efficiency of your home so you can save money on energy during the colder months. One of the most important things you can do is call in a chimney repair service to make sure things are in working order. A masonry contractor may be able to help you with repairs should there be a problem.

Also be sure your fireplace, wood-burning stove, or pellet stove is clean and in good repair. These alternative sources of heating can save you a bundle on heating costs over the winter. They also help you control the heat in your home and focus on the rooms used most by your family. The ambiance of a space is improved with a roaring fire, so if you are not looking forward to the coming snow and bitter cold, you can take comfort in the cozy feel of a fire.

Another way to make your home more comfortable and save on energy costs is to add insulation. This will keep the warm air in your home and the cold air outside. Even if you have updated the insulation in recent years, you should check to make sure there are no drafts in your home and seal up any cracks or openings. You can check for drafts by using a burning stick of incense. Hold it near wall joints, doorways and windows and if you see the billowing smoke change direction, you know you have a crack that needs to be sealed.

Before the dead of winter sets in, check your supplies and stock up if needed. Instead of waiting for a rush on the hardware store for things like rock salt and shovels, shop before those items are needed. You can store the supplies in the garage until they are needed. The items may also be cheaper early in the season, but even if you have to pay full price, at least you will have everything you need when the bad weather arrives.

Finally, be sure you turn off the exterior water in your home. During the summer months you use outdoor water sources for the garden, the watering can, or washing down the patio. When the temperatures begin to drop, you will need to make sure the water flow is stopped so you can avoid freezing. The water pipes in your home are insulated from freezing, but the exterior pipes do not have this benefit. By turning the water off, you are preventing a flooding disaster because no water will be in the pipe to be affected by the bitter cold temperatures. This only takes a few seconds to handle, but it can save you thousands of dollars in damage and plenty of unnecessary winter headaches.

Author Bio: Stewart Wrighter recently searched the term masonry contractor Seattle to choose one for a remodel he and his wife are working on.He viewed the work of a chimney repair Seattle expert to choose one for some masonry work he needs completed.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: Seattle masonry contractor,Seattle chimney repair