Overview

In Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Iowa, it's a good idea to take a few preventative measures before winter hits. The colder it gets, the worse it could be for your home if you don't take care of it properly. Even homes that barely see frost could benefit from house winterization. Keep your house comfortable, warm, and dry by learning more about the process and why it's important. 

How to Winterize Your House:

Winterizing your home is an important part of house ownership. Follow these procedures to keep your home safe, warm, and running effectively. 

1. Seal cracks and gaps

Cold air can penetrate your living area through cracks and gaps, causing it to be cool in your home, and making your heating costs go way up. Thankfully, there are simple and affordable methods to improve sealing these openings. Some of these pathways come from the air that makes its way into the home between the door and frame. Another way is for air to pass through around the windows. At American Waterworks, we provide vapor barriers, sealants, wall panels, window replacements, and other systems that can prevent this from happening. If you are noticing cracks or gaps in your home, it’s important to address those issues before the colder temperatures.

2. Encapsulate your crawl space

Your home is a system, and every part of that system plays a role that affects the entire structure. Typical crawl spaces are foul-smelling, moldy spaces that homeowners want to avoid if they can. Before and during winter, homeowners can experience issues with their dirt crawl space, such as cold floors and an increase in energy bills. Even if your crawl space has insulation between your floor joists, you can still experience cold floors throughout your entire home. With our crawl space encapsulation system, not only can you avoid cold floors, but you can also avoid frozen pipes, which can eventually burst and lead to a bigger problem. When it comes to energy use, crawl space encapsulation makes the entire house much more energy-efficient by 18%, according to a study. Without this system, cold air makes the furnace work even harder, causing a dramatic increase in energy costs. Our vapor barrier keeps out cold air and makes your home a healthier and more energy-efficient place to live. Learn more by clicking here to read about our encapsulation process and why it is important. 

3. Install energy-efficient windows

Some homeowners think that caulk or weather strips can fix their rotting windows. In most situations, it will only temporarily help. To provide more energy efficiency and heat to your home, do yourself a favor and have your rotted, singe-paneled windows replaced with our vinyl-framed, double-paneled windows. At American Waterworks, we install EverLast Replacement Windows and Egress Windows, along with our SunHouses, RockWell Window Wells, and more! In addition, you can also get window shades, screens, or shutters, which can provide extra protection and energy savings. Click here to learn more about our windows and what they can do for you. 

4. Clean your gutters

Clean gutters are crucial because they guide melting snow and water away from your home and its foundation. If your gutters are covered or clogged with debris, they won’t be able to function the way they’re naturally supposed to. This will also prevent ice build-up and flooding during the winter. If you’re unable to do it yourself, hiring a professional contractor is an option as well. 

So, what?

Winterizing your home will save money on your heating bills, but that’s just the beginning. By winterizing your house, you’re extending its life. Your pipes won’t explode. You won’t have cold floors. Your furnace won’t have to work nearly as hard. Take these steps and bring them with you when you winterize your home and enjoy the comfort and cozy atmosphere that winter brings. To learn more about our systems and what they can do for you, click here, or give us a call today to schedule your free inspection and estimate!