How to Get Your Apartment Ready for A Winter Storm
Ensuring your apartment is winter-ready is crucial. Take proactive steps to winterize your living space before the cold sets in, so you’re prepared for any potential winter storms. This proactive approach not only helps prevent costly repairs to pipes, gutters, heaters, and appliances but also guarantees a warm and cozy environment regardless of the weather outside.
How should I winterize my apartment?
Winterizing your apartment is simple and doesn’t require a lot of effort. Here are a few basic things you can do to help prepare your apartment for winter:
1. Put in draft guards/blockers:
This is a stuffed fabric that you can purchase at a hardware store that will make sure the cold air does not seep inside of your apartment. These can be put at the base of doorway and by drafty windows.
2. Seal/insulate your windows:
You can buy an insulating kit at a hardware store and use it on your windows to ensure that all the warm air stays inside.
3. Get your radiator checked:
If you hear hissing noises from the radiator, that may indicate that the heat is escaping from the pipes which needs to be fixed. Make sure to reach out to your landlord to get this fixed right away so that you are not left without heat during the winter.
4. Get your air filter replaced:
If the filter in your HVAC system has not been replaced in the last three months, make sure to reach out to your landlord so they can get it replaced. It will reduce the utility bill and ensure the HVAC unit lasts longer.
5. Programmable thermostat:
Getting a programmable thermostat is a great way to keep utility costs at bay. Ask your landlord if it is ok for you to get one.
6. Focus the heat:
If you are dealing with a cold apartment, make sure that you focus the heat on the room that you are in. This means that you should try and close the vents in the rooms that you are not using as much so that the heat can go only to rooms that you spend the most time in.
7. Dress for the weather:
If your apartment is cold, make sure to dress properly. You can make yourself warm and cozy by wearing your favorite sweatpants and sweaters.
8. Keep your fan on:
Make sure to reverse the direction of your ceiling fan and it will help you bring the heat down so that it is a perfect warm temperature in your apartment.
9. Cover any exposed floors and walls:
Making sure that any exposed flooring and walls are covered will help keep the heat inside of your apartment. Use heavier rugs for flooring as it will keep you warmer.
10. Use a space heater:
If your apartment is very cold and you are unable to get it to a comfortable temperature, you can use a space heater to get it warmer. However, make sure to never leave a space heater unattended and always shut it off while sleeping.
11. Start using winter bedding:
Make sure to start using heavier bedding, comforters, and flannel sheets to keep yourself warm in bed.
12. Get a boot tray ready near the front door:
Winter is a messy season with lots of slush and snow. A boot tray will help you keep the area by your front door dry and clean.
13. Start using a humidifier:
Using a humidifier will help keep humidity in your apartment and keep the dry air at bay so that you can breathe easier during the winter months.
14. Make sure everything is ready in your first aid kit:
Before the winter starts, make sure that you go through your first aid kit, throw out any expired items, and replace them with fresh items so you can have them ready in case you need them.
You should also make sure that you have a few extra blankets ready as well as a small space heater, just in case there is a heavy storm and you need to keep warm.
What should you have in your home in case of a winter storm?
Here are a few things you can do to get ready for the possibility of a winter storm in your area:
- Have extra bottled water available at your home.
- Keep extra canned or dry goods in your pantry.
- Have a stocked first aid kit with a battery powered radio and flashlight in case you need it.
- Make sure that the batteries in your fire detector and carbon monoxide detector are on and working.
- Have a fire extinguisher accessible and ready in case you need to use it.
- All items that require a charge should be kept charged.
- Make sure to unplug any items that are not that important in case there is a power surge.
- Turn up the heat and close any doors to other rooms that are not being used.
- If you live in an older building and the temperature will be dropping, make sure to run a small trickle of water through the pipes so that it does not freeze.
Professional Water Damage Restoration
Have you experienced water damage at your home or business? Make sure you call a restoration professional to help. With many years of experience, water damage restoration professionals will make sure your property is restored quickly and efficiently. Highly trained professionals will make sure to dry, clean, and restore your property back to its original state. They have the experience, the methods, and the proper equipment to do a top-notch job.