Finish your last-minute winter home Preparations

There are always several things I recommend people get done around their homes before winter arrives, and somehow I still have a few things on my own list that haven’t been completed. Hopefully we have a mild winter and I will have some nice days in between to get those last few projects taken care of.

One of the things on my list is checking the insulation in the attic. This is probably one job I would much rather do in November than August. There is nothing quite like climbing into an attic in the middle of summer to remind you how much you enjoy air conditioning!

While checking your insulation may not be the most exciting job on your winter preparation list, it is an important one. Having the proper amount of insulation in your attic helps slow the movement of heat through your ceiling. In the winter, you want to keep the heat you are paying for inside your home instead of letting it escape into the attic.

Look for areas where insulation has been moved, compressed or has settled over time. If you have batt insulation, check to see if it is still in good condition and covering the areas it is supposed to cover. One thing I always like to point out is to look at the insulation itself. If you have older batt insulation and it looks dirty or discolored in certain areas, that can be a sign that air is moving through it. Dust and dirt can get carried along with air leaking through gaps around light fixtures, electrical boxes, plumbing, ductwork and other openings in the ceiling. In other words, the dirty insulation may be telling you that you have an air leak that needs to be found and sealed.

While you are up there, keep an eye out for signs of moisture or water leaks, damaged ductwork, gaps around pipes and wiring, and anything else that doesn’t look quite right. Also make sure your attic ventilation has not been blocked by insulation. Good insulation and good ventilation work together to help keep your attic and your home performing the way they should.

If you are considering adding insulation, it is worth finding out what you already have before simply adding more. The amount needed can vary depending on the type of insulation, the construction of your home and the existing insulation. In many cases, adding insulation can be a relatively simple way to improve the energy efficiency of your home, but it should be done correctly.

Winter is coming whether we are ready for it or not. So I am going to keep working my way down my list and hope for a few more nice days before the snow starts flying. And if you see me outside in November working on one of those last-minute projects, just remember,  I knew winter was coming. I just didn’t think it would get here so quickly!