How to protect your home from winter weather

Now that the holidays are over, there’s more to be done to prepare your home for the long Wisconsin winter ahead than simply packing up those festive decorations.

John Freiburger, a Wisconsin registered home inspector who specializes in evaluating older structures, visited WPR’s “The Larry Meiller Show” to discuss how to winterize your home for maximum comfort and efficiency.

Concerns over condensation

One of the most common indicators of a poorly insulated house is condensation, which can appear indoors as visible water droplets on windows, damp patches on walls, peeling paint, or black mold growth in corners.

If any of those signs are visible, Freiburger said, “We need to think about why we are getting condensation. I tell people to look at your house and ask, ‘What’s wet?’ Look at your attic to see if you’ve got frost. Look for mold. If you’ve got a lot of water on your windows, it could be you’ve got cheap windows.”

Excessive humidity in the home can also lead to condensation. Freiburger said this could be caused by humidifiers being set to run too often or by dryer ducts being partly blocked or damaged. Freiburger advised that if “a nice big white plume” is not there when running the dryer, it’s time to vacuum out the duct.

Freiburger suggested a simple test to see if your bathroom fans are working well enough to combat humidity: “Take a piece of toilet paper, turn on the fan, and hold the paper to the fan. If the paper falls to the floor, your fan is not working.”

Freiburger recommended checking these items if you find condensation in your attic on a cold day:

• Purchase a humidistat to track the relative humidity in your house.
• Check the operation of any humidifiers. They may be operating when not needed.
• Check your dryer duct.  It may be partly blocked or damaged.
• Check your bathroom exhaust fans for proper air movement.

Windy windows

Freiburger said that contrary to popular belief, all windows have some drafts. But if the draft seems excessive, he recommends looking at the weatherstripping.

“Over the years, weatherstripping is affected by sunlight and gets crispy and brittle, which means it doesn’t compress or expand anymore and doesn’t do a good job of keeping out the drafts,” he said.

Freiburger noted that vinyl weatherstripping is easy to install but doesn’t last as long as metal weatherstripping, which requires more effort. But, he said, “once you do it, it is done basically forever. Because unlike vinyl weatherstripping, it is not going to deteriorate over time.”

Freiburger recommends examining the following on your windows:

• If you have older double hung window sashes without weatherstripping, check to see if a dime can be inserted between the sash and the window stop. If you can, add vinyl or bronze weather stripping.
• Do your windows latch tightly? If not, you may need to replace the weatherstripping, tighten some loose screws on the hinges or latch mechanism, or possibly replace some worn-out parts.
• Check the condition of your storm windows to look for missing or damaged panels or other parts.

What’s in the (sill) box?

The sill box is the area in the basement where the exterior foundation wall meets the joists. It’s a common place to find air leaks and condensation, according to Freiburger.

“This is easy to check,” Freiburger said. “Most houses are going to have some fiberglass to insulate the sill box. Go down to the basement and pull a piece of it out. If it looks dirty, you have air intrusion.”

“Sill boxes are typically poorly insulated and leak a lot,” continues Freiburger. “Using spray foam insulation will typically stop the air leaks, be a vapor barrier, and will provide good thermal resistance.”

Up on the roof

Visible icicles may mean ice dams, which are ridges of ice that form at the edge of a roof and prevent melting snow from draining off your roof.

If they exist, Freiburger suggested investigating further. The presence of icicles may simply mean it’s time to rake the snow off of your roof or it could be a sign of something more serious.

In addition, Freiburger recommended checking all soffits — the horizontal underside of your roof’s overhang — for water stains or drips that may indicate anything from damaged shingles to improper insulation.

The heat is on (hopefully): HVAC and fireplaces

In regards to your home’s heating system, Freiburger said start with the filter.

“What you really want is a filter that is going to improve the air quality in your house. If you have a really cheap filter, think about having an HVAC contractor out to replace it.”

Freiburger recommended a filter with a MERV (Minimum Effective Reporting Value) rating of at least 11.

Freiburger advised that anyone without a condensing furnace — a high-efficiency gas furnace that uses a second heat exchanger to capture heat from exhaust gases – should consider replacing the unit, noting that there are currently rebate and tax incentives for those who choose to do so.

Many homeowners have gas fireplaces that they use during the winter for both heat and ambience, but as Freiburger said, “the area around them often feels cold because it’s very difficult to seal them in.”

Freiburger recommended contacting the fireplace manufacturer and researching how the fireplace can be retrofitted to make it more energy efficient, likely through the use of high-temperature insulation.  

Freiburger also recommended the following:

• Vacuum radiators as dust build-up can hinder heating efficiency and contribute to allergies.
• Check radiator valves in steam systems to be sure they are opening and closing properly.
• Check forced air ductwork for openings and dirt. If you can see dust forming around the vents, clean them.
• Open bottom return grills so the coldest air goes back to the furnace.
• Inspect your fireplace or wood stoves before making fires. If you find issues, contact a chimney inspector.
• Inspect your damper and chimney cap. If it is loose, heat will escape up the chimney. Make sure to close the damper when the unit is not in use.

Safety checks

Freiburger also recommended taking the following safety measures at your home:

• Check all handrails to be sure they are not loose.
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be tested to ensure they are fully operational. Batteries for all detectors should be replaced.
• Fire extinguishers should be inspected. Check with your local fire station to see if they offer this service.
• Check back draft dampers to see if they close. If any are frozen open, try lubricating it to ease movement.
• Ensure your steps and sidewalk are safe when wet or iced over. Use an ice melt product if necessary.

The final word on winter

No matter the source or severity of any air leaks, heating inefficiencies or other issues in your home, Freiburger offered the following advice: “If you really want to be conscientious, then I recommend hiring an energy inspector. They will perform an energy audit to find exactly where your leaks are, among other things.”

Editor’s note: Freiburger Consulting is a sponsor of WPR.