by Marcie Mattrass

Created on: November 24, 2009

Properly winterize your home this winter!

Check all the caulking in your home; here is a list of places you should caulk around your home:

-Around all windows and doors.

-Along the basement sash.

-In any splits and cracking in your siding.

-Between all joints in wood siding.

-Seal any cracks between door thresholds and stoops.

-Between any wood or metal.

-Along all siding that runs along the bottom of the foundation to the house.

-Around any roof vents.

-At any power exits and entrances.

-Around storm windows, an or regular windows.

When picking a caulking equipment really all you need is a caulk gun and the caulk; all guns and caulks are all the same standard size. Here are some basic caulking solutions that will work within your budget.

-A simple oil-based caulk: This solution is very inexpensive it can be used pretty much anywhere; however if you go with this kind of base you may have to reapply caulk every 3 years or so due to the oil base this causes the caulk to shrink in the cracks causing the oil to disappear. In the long run you may want to invest in a better caulk so you don't have to reapply as often.

-Polyvinyl acetate: This will cover any surface and the cost is moderate and will last a lot longer than the oil based caulk.

-Latex caulking: This is a quick drying caulk but the affects are pretty much the same as the polyvinyl.

-Silicone caulking: This is great stuff; it cost more then the other caulks, but it is made to last for up to 50 years or longer. It could eat away at the paint on your house but you can get this stuff in a variety of colors to match the paint of your home.

-Butyl rubber caulking: This is on the same level as the silicone but it does not last as long; the life span is around 20 years. Be sure to read the labels for this brand due to some restrictions to certain usage.

Now that you have caulked your home you are ready for phase two; your pipes:

-Nothing is worse than a broken pipe in the winter; make sure your water to your hose bibs are shut off. This can be done by turning off your main shut off valve inside your home. Drain all lines; to help from freezing spigots cover the spigots with Styrofoam or invest in a cover made especially for spigots. Next locate any other pipes that may be exposed; such as pipes that run along the basement, crawlspaces, and garages. Wrap those pipes with rubber covers or fiberglass insulation; which you can pick up at any local hardware store. If you are concerned about pipes freezing this

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