Winter is here, and we all have to take steps to protect ourselves against cold weather. For ourselves, that means bundling up in layers and warm clothes. Our houses need to maintain warmth and conserve energy and prevent freezing from occurring, but how do we do that?

Here at ElkStone Basements, we take pride in every basement project we do. From the initial planning to the finishing touches, we take care of every detail, whether you want a theater, living area, wet bar, or more.

Let’s chat about the winterization process and why it’s so essential for your home, and especially your basement.

Why Is Winterizing Important

Whether you’ll be spending time in your house all season long or you’ll be away for any period, ensuring your entire space is airtight is vital. Drafts, leaks, fire hazards, and clogs are some of the things that can occur over the winter months, and because it’s often the basement that gets cooler before the rest of the home.

If you haven’t done it yet, make sure to have a professional inspect your heating systems, especially your furnace, which is typically located in the basement. Ensure it’s in perfect working order and that your filters are in good shape. It’s also important to check that your windows and doors don’t have any drafts. Why? Because drafts can cause the temperature to fluctuate, causing your heating system to work harder, which can drive your energy bill up.

Ice damming can occur when your gutters are filled with debris from the fall months or clogged with ice and snow. It can cause your roof or walls to experience leaks and other potentially expensive damage that can trickle right down to the basement level.

Take Extra Steps If You’re Away

Whether you’re heading out for a weekend trip or taking a three-week vacation, there are a few other things you can do to make sure you’re safe from hazards.

Be sure to turn off the water supply and drain your water lines by opening all the faucets and flushing all the toilets. This will prevent water from freezing and expanding in your pipes, which can cause them to break.

Turn down the heat, and unplug all appliances that won’t need to be running while you’re gone (NOT your refrigerator, freezer, or another essential machine).

Why We Care About Your Home’s Winter Maintenance

First of all, we care about the safety of our clients, even when their basement project is complete. One of the many steps we follow when doing a final project walkthrough is to shut off hose connections to prevent pipe bursts from the winter freeze.

At ElkStone Basements, we believe your home is your most significant investment, so it’s essential to keep it protected from top to bottom. If you’re interested in making some upgrades to your basement, get in touch with our experienced team. We’d be thrilled to create the basement space of your dreams!