Waukesha County Home

FEBRUARY 2013 HOMES PLUS Address drafts around the house Homeowners know that no home is perfect. Sometimes a home's biggest issue can be relatively small and easy to fix, while other issues are more substantial and require a bit more time and money . Drafts around the house fall somewhere in the middle of that spectrum. Though not necessarily difficult or costly to fix, drafts can be an uncomfortable nuisance and may require a little more elbow grease than more minor issues around a house. The following are a few ways homeowners can address drafts around the house. ■ Check the fireplace. Homeowners with a fireplace might be inviting drafts in through their favorite feature. If the damper on the fireplace is open, drafts will enter the home. Simply close the damper and the home will likely get a lot less drafty . ■ Check for gaps around windows and doors. The most likely culprit if a home is drafty is gaps around windows and doors. Windows and doors that aren't properly WAUKESHA COUNTY sized are no doubt inviting drafts into the home. The solution to this problem doesn't have to break the bank. Instead of replacing old windows and doors, use weather stripping and press it into the gaps around the frame. This can block drafts, and you should be able to notice an immediate difference. ■ Hang heavier curtains or drapes. Another way to address a drafty room is to hang thick curtains or drapes in front of the window. The heavier the material, the more effective it will be at keeping cold air from circulating around the room. ■ Inspect the attic. If your home has an attic, that oft-forgotten room upstairs might be the source of the home's drafts. When a home is heated, the air inside that home is pressurized, driving that air through ceiling penetrations and into the attic. This creates leaks that allow warmth to escape the house while inviting colder air in. Plug any air leaks into the attic, which should eliminate drafts as well as condensation. Air pollution ers, so if such pollutants are a problem then an air cleaner may not be the solution. Indoor air pollution can make a home uncomfortable and unhealthy . More information about improving air quality in a home is available at www.epa.gov. continued from Page 10 Air cleaners can also be effective at improving indoor air quality, especially those cleaners that can remove particles from the air inside the home. Gaseous pollutants may not be removed by air clean- 11 Your Guide to Homes, Home Improvement, Lawn & Garden and MORE! PUBLISHES: Second Thursday of the Month in the Waukesha Freeman & Oconomowoc Enterprise Remodeling + Maintenance Landscaping + Home Efficiency Homes Plus is a unique full color, all gloss, monthly (Courtesy of Creators.com) publication that specifically targets current and future home U p g r a d e Yo u r S h o w e r owners in Waukesha County. The publication is mailed to more than 16,000 homes in the county and will include local, up-to-date content with featured columns pertaining to home buying and home improvement! Pro's Pick® Solar Salt water softener salt upgrades your water and your life. That's because soft water is easier on your skin, laundry and more. Call for convenient delivery or pickup today. To Advertise, Call MARY CARLSON • 262/513-2629 CHRIS COLLINS • 262/513-2623 Upgrade Your Water GAYLE DAVIS • 262/513-2694 NANCY KAEPPEL • 262/513-2625 MAUREEN KONLEY • 262/513-2631 JACK STRATMEYER • 262/513-2635 • Water Softeners • Iron Filters • Drinking Water Systems JIM BAUMGART • 262/513-2621 262-547-3866 227083001 ANTHONY DREW • 262/513-2622 1344 White Rock Ave. Waukesha, WI 53186 www.softwaterinc.com 230290001 DONNA ARMSTRONG • 262/513-2698 A Lake Country Tradition Since 1888

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