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After a long, enjoyable summer of cooking, swimming in the pool, and lounging on the porch swing, it’s time to prepare for winter. Winter is one of the most expensive seasons for homeowners because you have to take steps to prepare your home for cold weather.

Preparing your home for winter can be overwhelming when you consider that precautions must be taken at all levels of your house. Before you reach for that shovel, here are some things you should do to prepare your home:

1. Clear the Gutters and Repair Any Damage

One of the first things homeowners must do is clear their gutters and repair any damage. Fall leaves can easily clog a gutter during the winter, leading to water damage in your living space. If your gutters have a lot of damage or you don’t have them, it’s time to get them fixed before the snow starts falling. You can contact local gutter installers for more information about how to prepare your gutter for winter weather.

2. Clean or Replace Your Air-Conditioning Filters Regularly

Air conditioners and heating systems rely on filters to keep your home clean and operating at peak performance. If your filter is full of debris or hasn’t been changed in several months, it’s time to do so now. You’ll want to clean the filter every six months or as soon as it becomes dirty. Air conditioners will work harder and longer if the filters aren’t changed regularly, which can lead to damage that could cost you more money because you need a new compressor.

3. Clean Your Furnace Filter

This is essential, especially after heavy winter storms pass through the area. For climate-controlled houses like yours, it’s important to keep your furnace clean. If the furnace filter isn’t changed regularly, it can clog up along with other debris and lead to dangerous carbon monoxide leaks.

4. Insulate Either the Ceiling or Walls of Your Basement

One of the best ways to keep your basement warm during the winter is to insulate the ceiling or walls. This will keep cold air from seeping through foundation cracks and entering your home. Another thing you can do to insulate your basement is to add a new door that seals tightly. If you have a large opening, you can block it off with an uninsulated door that you plan on replacing in the future with something more energy efficient.

5. Seal Leaks in Your Foundation with Caulk or Weather Stripping

One of the biggest ways excess cold air seeps into your home during the winter is through windows and doors. You can fix this problem by adding weather stripping or caulk around areas that leak cold air.

6. Put Storm Windows on Your Windows and Replace Any Cracked Windows with New Ones

Even though you’ve already sealed off leaks in your foundation, protecting your home from outside elements is still important. Cracked, damaged, or old windows should be replaced with new ones, and storm windows should be placed on the outside of them to prevent damage from ice or water leaks.

7. Replace Any Water Hoses Before Freezing Temperatures Hit the Area

Even though you’ve ensured your home is protected by weather protection and you have a heater or air conditioner, your outdoor plumbing can still leak in the winter. You can check to make sure this hasn’t happened by checking around your house for any drips or leaks on the ground. If you find any leaks, take immediate action by replacing them with new hoses before freezing temperatures hit.

8. Have Your Heating System Inspected

Before turning your heating system on for the first time this winter, you should have it inspected to ensure it’s in good working order. This includes checking the air filter, flue, and thermostat for problems. Having your heating system inspected before you turn it on can save you a lot of money because you won’t have to replace a busted heater or furnace.

It’s a good idea to spend at least one weekend every year prepping your home for winter. By scheduling your home inspection, buying a new furnace, or adjusting your heat settings, you can prevent winter headaches by ensuring your home is protected from damaging temperatures.

If you are like many homeowners, you may be wondering how to paint a door frame properly. Your door is a piece of home furniture that you will likely see when out on your patio or in your living room. The first thing that you should consider before painting is what color of paint you want to use. It is not only nice to have a door that looks great, but it also allows for ease of movement within your home. Knowing how to paint a door frame allows you to choose the right color paint that compliments the look and feel of your door.

Painting a door frame is similar to how you would paint any other surface within your home. The first step is preparation. When you are ready to paint your door, you need to take some time to thoroughly clean the area so that no dirt, dust, or debris will be able to catch on to the paint. This will help you avoid having streaks when the paint dries.

Once you have your surfaces clean, you are ready to prepare the paint. The first thing you should do is prepare the area you are painting with an old t-shirt. You can either wash it to get rid of any stains or just use it as a mask. This area should be arid because anything else that gets into the paint will not be seen once it is wet. In addition, this area will help to keep the paint from dripping onto other areas when you use the brush.

Next, you will need to gather up all the supplies that you will need before painting. A paint sprayer is a must. This tool will allow you to paint quickly and not wait too long between coats. Paint Brushes come in a variety of sizes, colors, and tips. The best ones will be those that are for drying in the shortest amount of time.

Once you have all of your supplies, it is time to paint the door. If you are new to doing this, it is a good idea to practice in an area that does not have much traffic. This will ensure that you do not accidentally paint over an area that you do not want to be painted. It would help if you also considered practicing how to maneuver the tools to know where to put them so that you do not hurt yourself when painting.

You will want to make sure that you paint a door frame that will be flat against the wall. You should also make sure that it is at least one and a half-inch smaller than the door itself. You will need to paint both the outside and inside of the door. It is a good idea to cover the frame with a piece of opaque material so that it will not show up when the paint dries. You can paint the area in an almost finished look if you wish, but you should finish the paint by adding a few accent colors or paint chips.

When you have painted the door frame, you should check to make sure that the trim around the edges of the door is smooth. Smooth edges will help the paint stick better. If you find that there are rough areas that need sanding, take this time to smooth out the area. When you have finished sanding the rough spots, make sure that you give the door a good cleaning before putting the trim back in place.

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8 Steps Homeowners Should Take to Prep a House for Winter