Prepare your home for the winter

Texas homes are built to withstand the extreme summer heat, but the few bouts of cold that rolls through each winter could test a home’s pipes, insulation and landscaping. Ross Black, a retired Georgetown firefighter who founded First Responding Home Inspections earlier this year, offered a variety of tips for homeowners to prepare their houses for the winter. 

If a home is having trouble retaining heat or has inconsistent heating across rooms, there are a few things to consider. 

“Always check around your [exterior facing] doors and windows,” Mr. Black said. “See if you can feel a breeze.” He said this could mean that the rubber weather strip needs to be replaced. 

These strips can get worn down easily, or damaged by things like pets, who chew on them, he explained. The caulking on windows may need to be replaced. He also said homeowners should look at their attic insulation to make sure there’s 10-13 inches of insulation present. Homeowners can check this with a standard tape measure. If insulation is low, loose insulation can be bought very cheaply from hardware stores and added, he said. 

While up in the attic, make sure there isn’t any air escaping from an air conditioning duct, he suggested. A hole in the aluminum may cause one room in the house to be colder or warmer. When freezing temperatures are expected, Mr. Black suggests using styrofoam faucet covers on the houses exterior. There should also always be a foam pipe wrap around the pipes leading to the AC compressor, he said. 

Inside the home, if the heat is on, open the under sink cabinets where pipes are clustered to avoid inhome pipe bursts during a freeze. Dripping faucets overnight can also help when an extended freeze is expected. If a leak is detected, turn off the water to that area immediately to reduce possible water damage. Trees and landscaping Mr. Black suggests getting a routine maintenance check on the home’s HVAC twice a year, something he said he learned the hard way. He was personally hit with a $10,000 bill for an HVAC problem that could have been prevented if it was maintained correctly over time. 

When it comes to Christmas trees, tree branches and fire wood, Mr. Black said these items should never touch the exterior of the house. The wood allows termites and fire ants to get into the house. 

“[Tree branches] can freeze and fall over [during ice storms],” he said. “But more likely, ants or termites crawl and get into your house.” 

If a strong winter storm does take place, limbs that become laden with heavy ice can fall and cause damage, both to the tree itself and the home. Prune trees early in the winter by trimming unbalanced and damaged limbs, and trim away branches that touch or hang over the home. 

Also, keeping trees and landscaping watered through the winter, even ahead of freezes, can help them survive harsh conditions. Fire hazards If a homeowner plans on staying warm with a fire this winter, Mr. Black said to make sure to use the correct equipment. 

Only wood should only be burned in a wood-burning fireplace to prevent the hearth from being damaged. Don’t burn garbage, plastic, plywood or manufactured wood, he said. Also, don’t use fire accelerants like gasoline or kerosene because it could release harmful fumes into the house. 

As a firefighter, Mr. Black received a lot of phone calls for dead Christmas trees that caught fire. Trees need to remain in a tub of water to keep hydrated. He said that the tree can be engulfed in flames in seconds, if one dry needle touches a candle. 

“Right when the needles start falling off, it’s time to toss it,” he said. 

Don’t forget your neighbors Mr. Black said to check on elderly neighbors and family members who might not be getting out of the house much. During freezes, he asks to make sure home-bound people and older adults have their medications, a stock of food and clean water. Check in when possible to make sure they are doing alright during and after a storm.

Information about First Responding Home Inspections can be found at https://www.frhinspect.com/.