As the temperature continues to drop in the coming weeks, now is a good time to start winterizing your home to help you stay warm and prevent frozen pipes. Your crawl space is a key component to winterizing under your home against cold winter air. It is not difficult to do and it should last for many years.
Here are a few suggestions for where to start to winterize your crawl space:
- Close any outside vents to not only prevent cold air from entering under the house but will also help keep animals out
- Make sure the vapor barrier on the ground covers the length of the house and there is no water puddling
- Insulate exposed water pipes with foam insulation to help keep them from freezing or bursting
- Seal any holes (outdoor faucets or cable lines) in the crawl space walls to keep air flow out
Other areas of the home that need to be winterized include:
- heating system–be sure to replace your filters
- storm doors and windows–check for cracked glass and repair as needed; also, make sure to fill any gaps around the doors and windows with caulk
- gutters–clean gutters before water has a chance to collect and freeze
- exterior of the home–make sure water is draining away from the home, seal any cracks in the sidewalk/pavement, and be sure all handrails are secured
It is also a good idea to make sure you know where the water shut off valve is located. Even when taking precautions, water pipes may still freeze and it is important to get the water turned off as quickly as possible to help lessen the severity of the water damage to your home.
