10 Tips for a Safe Winter Home

Winter may be cold, but it doesn’t mean your basement needs to be!

With drastic weather changes, holidays, storms, and more to think about during winter, it can be easy to forget about your basement. After all, it is below your feet and somewhere you may not spend a lot of time. However, that doesn’t mean maintaining it is any less important than the rest of your home.

Let your basement be the foundation for a safe home this winter using these 10 easy tips.

1. Seal Cracks and Gaps

There’s no easier way for water, radon, and cold air to enter your basement than a crack in the foundation. Whether you’re in the basement grabbing holiday decorations or taking your Winter coats out of storage, look at the walls surrounding you and check for cracks. If you notice any, contact a professional to patch them to ensure your walls are airtight.

Pro Tip: Look around the edges of any windows in your basement too. There may be small cracks or gaps in the caulking that should be repaired.

2. Upgrade Basement Windows

Window technology has advanced and a simple upgrade can help keep your home warm. If you have single pane windows in your basement, consider upgrading to double-pane windows. These windows have two panes of glass with a middle layer filled with air or gas that help insulate your basement.

3. Dehumidify Smartly

You don’t want your basement to be wet, but you also don’t want it to be too dry during the Winter. If you have a dehumidifier in your basement, the recommended basement humidity level during winter is between 25% – 40%. Making it too dry can lead to dry skin, nosebleeds, and susceptibility to winter illnesses.

Some dehumidifiers, like our favorite the AprilAire E100, allow users to set a desired humidity level. When set, the dehumidifier will keep the space around that level and turn on automatically when levels rise above the desired amount.

4. Wrap Pipes for Insulation

Frozen pipes are a common headache for homeowners during winter, but with a little preparation, they can be avoided. Wrapping your basement pipes with insulation is an effective way to keep them from freezing. Foam pipe insulation is inexpensive, easy to install, and available at most hardware stores. Simply measure the length and diameter of your pipes, purchase the appropriate insulation, and wrap it around the pipes, securing it with tape if necessary.

For added protection, consider using heat tape or cables on pipes in particularly cold areas. These tools provide a gentle, consistent heat that prevents freezing. Don’t forget to check for leaks or cracks in your pipes before insulating them, as these can lead to further issues down the line.

5. Check for Mold/Mildew

Its unmistakable musty, foul odor means that your nose may pick it up before you see it. However, mold and mildew that are in the early stages of developing can be identified by looking for green, black, blue, or white splotches. You’ll find these on fabric, wood, cardboard – really, anywhere in your basement, especially if it has been wet before.

It’s important to check around pipes, windows, and any cracks you may have to eliminate mold before it continues to spread. It not only ruins belongings, but is also a major health hazard, so get rid of it in its early stages.

6. Clean Surfaces While in Basement

We don’t mean taking a mop and sponge to the floor (unless it’s literally covered in grime…), rather, dust shelving, wipe away cobwebs, and sweep up any light dirt or leaves on the floor. Cleaning not only makes the space more presentable but can eliminate safety or health risks that are present in the area.

If you decide to use chemical cleaning agents, make sure to open a window, door, or exhaust the air in some method. Remember that mold is a health hazard and should only be cleaned using gloves while wearing a mask. Contact a professional if you are unsure of whether you should disturb something.

7. Use Thermal Curtains

Thermal curtains are a simple, DIY solution for insulating your basement. They work by trapping the air on either side of the curtain. So, in the Winter, warm air stays in the basement and cold air stays near the window. This is a great temporary solution to keep the temperature regulated and reduce condensation on windows.

8. Check Sump Pumps

Before the winter, take a look at your sump pump to ensure it’s in good, working condition. You can check that your sump pump is working by temporarily removing the lid, looking to see if there is water built up in there, and if there is, checking the switch. Make sure that no debris is on your pump’s switch or sensor (a small black circle about halfway down the sump).  With the switch clean, pour a small bucket of water in and the pump should run and remove the water.

If the pump does not activate, contact your installer for them to come service the sump pump and get it back to working condition.

9. Use Draft Stoppers

Draft stoppers are one of the easiest, cheapest, and simplest home improvements you can use this winter. They come in a few forms, including single and double stoppers, and can easily be done as a DIY project. All you have to do after purchasing (or creating) a draft stopper is slip it under the door to your basement and close the door. That’s it!

Draft Stoppers lightly and temporarily seal the gap at the bottom of your door, keeping your basement’s air in the basement. They can be removed when the season is over or kept in place year-round without harm.

10. Add Weatherstripping to Doors

Adding weatherstripping is another easy DIY project that can reduce your energy bills and keep your basement warmer, pest-free, and improve water resistance. A weather strip is a thin rubber gasket that attaches to the edges of a bulkhead door or the inside of a doorframe. You can purchase a DIY kit or have a professional come to your home to install a weatherstrip kit.

Most of these tips can be easily completed in just a few hours over a weekend. So, before life gets too busy, take some time to prepare your basement for the season. You’ll thank yourself later when you aren’t left worrying about what’s going on downstairs.