Your House is Trying to Tell You Something. Are You Listening?
From the jobsite to your doorstep, our TriVistaUSA team knows a thing or two about home care. We asked them for their best winter prep tips, and they're sharing their favorites!
That bedroom that's always freezing. The window that never seems to close quite right. The basement that gets a little damp after heavy rain.
Sound familiar?
We asked our TriVistaUSA team what homeowners might be overlooking before winter arrives. Here's what they had to say.
That freezing bedroom? Don't blame the windows just yet.
It's usually the first assumption. The room is cold, so the windows must be bad.
Sometimes they are. But as Sara Meier, one of our Project Developers, points out, the problem often goes beyond the windows themselves.
Older homes can have little insulation in their exterior walls, gaps around window frames, or HVAC ductwork that isn't properly insulated. And sometimes the heating system simply isn't delivering enough warm air to that particular room.
From the jobsite to your doorstep, our TriVistaUSA team knows a thing or two about home care. We asked them for their best winter prep tips, and they're sharing their favorites!
Michael Sauri also points out something that often gets missed: even a good window can be drafty if the space between the frame and the wall wasn't properly sealed during installation.
Then there's the difference between insulation and air sealing. Insulation slows heat loss, while air sealing stops air from moving through all those little gaps. One doesn't replace the other.
Before spending thousands on new windows, try a few simple checks. Make sure the windows close and lock properly, inspect the weatherstripping, and feel around the frames for drafts. If cold air is getting in around the trim, the gap between the window and wall may need professional air sealing.
If the room is still cold, insulation could be the culprit. An energy assessment can help identify air leaks and poorly insulated areas, so you know what actually needs attention before spending money on repairs.
Clean gutters are great. But where's the water going?
Winter in the DC area can be a bit of a roller coaster. One day it's freezing, the next it's raining, and somewhere in between, we're dealing with melting snow.
Michael has a good way of putting it: "Follow the water all the way away from the house."
Clearing leaves from your gutters is a good start, but don't stop there. Make sure downspouts are clear and directing water away from your foundation. Also check outdoor drains and drainage grates for leaves and debris. A blocked drain can cause water to back up or pool in places it shouldn't. When temperatures drop again, that standing water can freeze, creating icy patches and worsening drainage problems.
Next time it rains, take a walk around your house. Is water collecting near the foundation, walkways, or basement entrance? Clear leaves and debris from outdoor drains and drainage grates, check downspouts for blockages, and make sure they're directing water away from the house. If water keeps pooling, you may need to extend a downspout or have the drainage and grading assessed before freezing temperatures turn standing water into an icy problem.
It's the things you can't see that can get expensive.
Sara brought up something many homeowners probably haven't thought much about: pipes running through poorly insulated exterior walls.
When temperatures really drop, those pipes can freeze and potentially burst. And unfortunately, you may not know there's a problem until the damage is done.
Jemma Parsonson, our Pre-Construction Coordinator, has a good reminder for anyone traveling over the holidays. Keep your thermostat set to at least 55°F while you're away, and consider 60°F or higher during particularly cold weather, especially in older homes with poorly insulated pipes. Saving a little on your heating bill isn't worth coming home to burst pipes.
And while you're thinking about things you can't see, Jemma also suggests checking your roof for damage or wear before winter. A small vulnerability can become a much bigger headache when melting snow finds its way inside.
A few other things worth checking before it gets cold.
Not everything needs a major investigation. Some things are simply worth taking care of now rather than discovering there's a problem in January.
Jemma recommends testing your heating system before you actually need it and keeping up with regular HVAC servicing.
She also reminds homeowners to check exterior openings where mice and other critters might find their way inside looking for warmth. When the snow arrives, make sure your gas meter stays clear, and your carbon monoxide detectors work.
None of these things is particularly glamorous. But neither is dealing with a broken furnace, unwanted houseguests, or water damage in the middle of winter.
Sometimes the obvious answer isn't the right one.
That's probably the biggest thing that came out of our conversations with the team.
A cold room doesn't automatically mean you need new windows. A damp basement might have more to do with where the water is going outside. And adding insulation won't necessarily fix a draft if you haven't addressed air leaks.
It's something we see in remodeling all the time. Homeowners usually know what's bothering them about their house. Figuring out why it's happening, and what will actually make it better, is where the real work begins.
Whether you're dealing with a winter maintenance issue or considering a larger renovation, it's worth understanding the problem before spending money on a solution.
Love where you live. Let's make it work better.
