Frank Fixit’s Corner
by Frank Fixit (aka Frank Maiolo), Staff Curmudgeon, Beaver County Business
Listen to a podcast discussion about this article.
Winter in Beaver County is like an uninvited in-law: you can’t stop him from coming, but you can limit the damage he does while he’s here. Every year about this time, readers ask me what they can do to “winterize” their homes. What they usually mean is, “Frank, how do I keep the gas company from owning me until April?”
Let’s get this straight: there is no magic fix. Your house leaks heat like a politician leaks common sense. But you can slow the bleeding.
- Caulk and Weatherstrip – Drafts are free-range invitations for Columbia Gas to buy a new yacht. A few bucks of caulk and weatherstripping can save you from heating the neighborhood.
- Furnace Filters – Change them. Your furnace is not an archeological dig site. A clogged filter makes it work harder, and the harder it works, the sooner it dies, leaving you huddled around a candle like a Dickens character.
- Gutter Check – Yes, your gutters. If they’re clogged, ice dams form. Ice dams melt, drip inside, and you suddenly own a very expensive indoor water feature.
- Insulate Pipes – A frozen pipe isn’t a winter inconvenience. It’s an insurance claim with a side order of drywall replacement. Foam pipe covers cost less than lunch.
- Thermostat Discipline – Lower it a notch. Wear a sweater. If you want to live in a tropical paradise, move to Florida and practice your hurricane evacuation drills.
- Chimney Reality Check – If you haven’t cleaned your chimney since the Reagan administration, don’t be shocked when Santa brings you a chimney fire.
Look, you can’t beat Old Man Winter. He’s undefeated. But with a little effort, you can keep him from stealing both your comfort and your wallet. Or you can do nothing, and by February you’ll be selling heirlooms to pay the gas bill.
Your call.
Frank Fixit (aka Frank Maiolo)
Have a home improvement question or an idea for Frank’s column? You can reach him during business hours at (724) 513-8266
