This is the time of year for you to winterize your home. In other words, to start getting your home ready for the cold winter season ahead. Some of these projects can be done on your own, but should you? When is it more beneficial to hire a handyman to help out? We break it down for you.
Are you even a DIY person?
Do you regularly fix things up around the house? Are you the type of person that will start a project and stick to it until its complete? These are some of the questions you should ask yourself before undergoing any sort of home improvement DIY project. Ponder these for a moment:
- Are you patient?
- Are you familiar with building codes?
- Do you have all the tools you need?
- Will you complete the job once you begin?
- Are you undertaking a DIY job for financial reasons?
These DIYers are ready to tackle any project!
As a society, we’ve been conditioned to not only try, but to love DIY projects because they’re a great way to improve the look and feel of your home on a budget. But here’s the thing – some home improvement projects are too big for one person to handle. After all, could you really waterproof your own basement to prevent water leaks? Not really – you need to hire a professional for that.
Here’s a list of the top 3 winterizing tasks you should do for your house this winter, and our verdict on whether you should hire a professional or DIY.
Cleaning the gutters
Cleaning your gutters is an essential winterizing task to tackle now. Here’s why:
- It will keep them working properly;
- A cleaning will prevent them from being clogged and allowing water to flow too close to your foundation, which can seep into the basement.
In other words, not cleaning your gutters can actually cause a lot of damage to your home, which will result in costly repairs.
THE VERDICT: Cleaning your gutters means working on a ladder. If you’re afraid of heights and don’t feel comfortable standing on an extension ladder, then it’s imperative you hire a professional. Lucky for you, we can put you in touch with these experts! Use our directory to find a eavestroughs and gutters specialist to do the job safely and professionally.
On the other hand, if you’re used to working on ladders and want an inside look at how to do the job, then you’ll want to look at this video:
Add more insulation
Keeping your home warm in the winter isn’t always as simple as turning up the thermostat. If you live in an older home, chances are likely it’s retrofitted with old insulation. An upgrade can drastically improve the warmth in your home (easing the pressure on the thermostat). Big box stores have different insulation products on the market, but knowing what product to use, how much of it and where an be tricky.
THE VERDICT: Hire a professional! Insulation contractors are familiar with building codes and know how the ins and outs of a building envelope (the air barrier around your home). Not only that, but they have the tools and expertise to work with hazardous insulation materials that a homeowner typically won’t.
CBC Marketplace uncovered the damage that can occur if you install spray foam insulation in your home – without the help of a professional.
Take a look at this video; it uncovers home renovation nightmares!
HONOURABLE MENTION! Our insulation expert Alex Schuts from Insta-Insulation was featured in the video. Remember, he says when it’s installed properly, insulation can do wonders for your home. Keep that in mind!
If you want to improve the insulation in your home, we strongly recommend you don’t DIY, but hire a pro!
Seal air leaks
As it turns out, there are a ton of places where air can leak out of your home. The best way to prevent your home from losing hot air that you’re trying to keep indoors? Seal these areas with some caulking! As for your doors, it’s a good idea to purchase some weatherstripping and apply to the doors/windows.
THE VERDICT: This is a fairly simple DIY home project. You can purchase the materials you need at a home store. However, if caulking isn’t your thing and you would rather have a professional visit your home. We have a directory of handyman service specialists who are experts in a wide variety of home-related jobs.
When it comes to winterizing your home, do it right the first time. A DIY job gone wrong could mean paying for the materials you used, plus paying for a professional to come into your home to fix any mistakes that may have occurred.
