WEATHERPROOFING & WINTERIZING YOUR

HOME

• Whether you’ve lived in your home

for many years or you’re moving into

a new home, it’s important to prepare

for the cold winter months.

• Freezing temperatures, snow, and ice

can cause the inside temperature of

your home to drop to dangerously

low levels.

• Weatherproofing and winterizing your

home will keep your family

comfortable and safe and help you

save on winter energy costs.

• Following are helpful tips to get you

through the winter more comfortably.

Winter Is Fast

Approaching

Windows

& Doors

• Your home can lose a tremendous amount of

heat from leaky windows and doors.

• Install or replace worn weather stripping under

entry doors and around windows.

• Hang plastic or shrink wrap over large windows

as a cost-effective way to reduce heat loss.

• Quick Tip: Hold a lit candle near windows

and entry door frames. If the candle blows out,

it’s time to install or replace weather stripping.

• Ensuring your furnace and thermostat are in

good working order and your ductwork is

intact can greatly increase the efficiency of

your heating system.

• Replace your furnace filter regularly. A

clogged filter can greatly reduce the

performance of your heater and even lead to

breakdowns.

• Inspect your ducts for mold, excessive dust

and debris, and any leaks, or hire an expert

to check the heating duct system, if you spot

any problems.

Furnaces

& Ductwork

Gutters & Roof

• Missing shingles or other roof materials can

cause heat loss. Have your roof inspected and

any missing materials replaced.

• Accumulations of leaves, dirt, and other debris

on your roof can lead to rot, and the weight of

snow and debris can seriously stress your roof.

• Quick Tip: Use a broom, shovel, or hose to

quickly remove debris from your home’s gutters.

Insulation

• While newer homes are generally well insulated,

older homes can have haphazardly installed

insulation or no insulation at all.

• Installing new insulation can be costly, but bear

in mind that you shouldn’t have to do it again

anytime soon.

• Quick Tip: Many utility companies offer

courtesy energy audits to help homeowners

determine whether there is adequate insulation.

Fireplaces, Chimneys

& Wood Stoves

• Keep the chimney clean and free of

creosote, and always scrape the

ashes/creosote out of the fireplace or

wood stove when not in use.

• For wood stoves, make sure the

connections from the flue vent to the wall

and from the vent to the stove are secure.

Hire an expert to check fireplaces,

chimneys, and wood stoves if preferred.

• Quick Tip: Make sure the chimney

has a screen to prevent birds from nesting

in or around the chimney.

Home Exterior

& Interior

Exterior:

• Insulate exposed water pipes to prevent

pipes from bursting.

• Apply expanding insulation or caulking into

gaps or holes in exterior walls.

• Cover central a/c units to protect them from

rain, snow, and the elements.

Interior:

• Reverse your ceiling fans to help circulate

warm air around the house.

• Open register vents and air returns inside

the house.

Emergency

Preparedness

It’s important to be prepared in case your

heating system breaks down or a natural

disaster occurs. Keep the following supplies

on hand:

• Flashlights

• Candles and matches

• Plenty of bottled water (1-3 gallons per

person, per day, for 7 days)

• Several blankets

• Emergency food supplies

• Battery-powered radio or two-way

device

• Extra prescription medications

• First-aid kit

For more than 30 years, Shleppers Moving & Storage has been the

premier residential and commercial moving service for families,

businesses, and organizations. Dedicated to providing unmatched

customer service and reliability, Shleppers remains the go-to moving

company from New York to Miami.

For more information on and to schedule your move,

call (800) 84-SHLEP

or visit www.shleppers.com