As colder weather in Maine continues, it is never too late to winterize your home. A few simple home maintenance steps could help prevent damage to your home and potentially save your money on your homeowners insurance. Maine winters are harsh, but these tips may help you cope with them with ease.
Check all doors for hairline cracks or open spaces where cold air can enter your home. These small cracks can become major headaches if water enters them and expands upon freezing. Use caulk to fill in any cracks or holes that you see, and use weather stripping around all exterior doors to help eliminate drafts.
You should also check all windows for small cracks, which often expand in cold weather. Seal any small cracks with silicone. With your basement windows, consider lining the windows with plastic sheeting to protect them from wind and ice, and to give your home an extra layer of protection.
Those who do not already own them should purchase smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for their home. Most cases of house fire and carbon monoxide poisoning occur during colder months when heat is in use. You should also replace any fire extinguishers older than 10 years and regularly replace batteries in existing detectors.
Cold weather is often harsh on your home. These tips to winterize your Maine home may help save you from making claims on your homeowners insurance and paying out of pocket costs for repairs. With one of the coldest climates in the US, the Pine Tree State may be frigid, but living there does not have to cost you extra money.