Weather is a variable that is inconsistent anywhere you go. Extreme heat can be seen in some areas, while heavy snowfall can be found in others. Additionally, there are areas with more temperate weather year-round between these two extremes. Weatherproofing your property is a popular practice that protects its outer walls against recurrent tear and damage, irrespective of the location you happen to live in.
In places like West Michigan, winters are windy and freezing with frequent snowfall, while the summers are partly cloudy and warm. Although the temperature doesn’t drop below 0oF and the lowest is usually around 5oF, the summer high of 89oF can take its toll on various things especially building materials. So it stands to reason that if you live in this area, your house needs to be adequately weatherproofed to keep out the elements.
The following advice will help you weatherproof your house effectively:
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Start with the doors and windows
The most frequent entry points for weather-related elements like dirt, debris, and water in a house are doors and windows. Because of this, the first thing you must do is weatherproof them. Hold an open flame and move it along the window pane to see if the frames of your windows are allowing in the air or not. If the light flickers, there is a problem.
It is crucial that you adequately weatherproof your home with the help of companies like All Weather Seal of West MI. Without proper ventilation, you run the danger of paying exorbitant energy costs. Heat and moisture exposure can also harm your home’s walls, ceiling, and flooring, costing you a lot to repair and replace.
You may speak to an expert about the many materials that can be used to seal window frames. To ensure that there are no gaps where heat or air conditioning might escape, you can install sweeps underneath doors.
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Examine and maintain your roof
Another source that needs effective weatherproofing is the ceiling. Have a trustworthy roof replacement service provider inspect the ceiling so they can assess its current condition and inform you of its level of weatherproofing. You can make a suitable choice regarding whether replacement is required or not based on the findings.
Water can build up on roofs rather frequently, especially in areas with considerable snow and rainfall. This standing water can leak through the ceiling, increasing the risk of mold growth and possibly jeopardizing the house’s structural integrity. Resolving any concerns, even though they are still minor, is ideal to prevent major problems.
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Invest in storm windows and be careful with their installation
Storm windows can help keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Although these windows are reasonably priced and simple to maintain, their significant return on investment is their best advantage. Storm windows help your home maintain a set temperature considerably better, which can significantly reduce your energy bills.
However, it is essential to guarantee that windows rated for storm resistance are chemically weatherproofed by professionals. Using the proper sealants to safeguard the frames of your windows is a terrific option if your primary goal is to prevent leaking. Adding an additional layer of insulation and weatherproofing storm windows can further reduce your energy bills.
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Explore the option of adding honeycomb shades
There are many strategies to keep your home from becoming a freezer in the dead of winter. As previously indicated, one approach is to employ various weatherproofing techniques on all exposed areas, such as windows and doors. Depending on your requirements, these can be produced using honeycomb blinds or weather stripping.
You should lower the shades at night when it’s cooler to avoid blocking any ventilation across the framing, but remember to raise them throughout the day as well! Allowing natural warming from sunshine into your home is a good method to avoid having your HVAC systems run continuously when they don’t have to.
Since honeycomb shades prevent harmful UV rays, they can help you in the summer and offer a complete weatherproofing solution in the winter. They are also not very expensive.
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Add smart temperature control to your home
A lot of the regular actions we carry out are now made easier by technology. Smart elements, especially in contemporary homes, are enabling homeowners to take advantage of current technology in the weatherproofing field as well. And one of the most helpful devices in this respect is a programmable thermostat.
In locations with extreme weather, when a standard thermostat is used, this constant programming can eventually result in stratospheric energy costs. By regulating the interior climate according to the outside temperature, a smart thermostat is able to address this problem. The thermostat can significantly lower power costs and provide a weatherproofing solution with little human involvement, remote control capabilities, and wise decision-making.
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Take steps to insulate outdoor water storage tanks
Depending on the weather, the water in the tanks for storing water you have put at home can get very hot or very cold. When this occurs, the water heater must use more energy to raise the temperature to your preferred level. Regardless of the benefits, this substantially raises your home’s energy costs. This issue can be resolved by ordering a water reservoir thermal blanket online, which is designed to help the tank maintain its normal temperature regardless of the weather.
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A doorstopper is a simple yet effective weatherproofing tool
Depending on the season, doors can enlarge or reduce in size. Even if the door is installed without gaps beneath or above it, they may appear at certain periods of the year, depending on how much the dimensions have changed.
You can also make a doorstopper at home. You’re in luck if someone in your household enjoys sewing. If they are generous enough, they can make a custom doorstopper for your house that is decorative and practical with some fabric and uncooked rice. You can also purchase one online and have it shipped to your home.
Conclusion
If you don’t weatherproof your home, your power bills could end up being very expensive. The home’s structure can also sustain significant damage in its deficiency of proper defense against the elements, which is rarely a good sign. To find out what your property is missing and what adjustments you need to make, contact a reputable weatherproofing expert.
