Fall is a great time to Repair Leaky Faucets and Seal Drafty Windows

September is a great month to start prepping for the chilly winter ahead, including making sure your faucets and windows are sealed tight.

Faucets

“Before the temperatures start to dip, examine leaky faucets in the kitchen, bathrooms, and utility room locations,” says Ryan Williams, general manager of 128 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric. “Most likely, whatever time and money you spend now will be considerably less than a broken pipe in the dead of winter.”

How to check and DIY: Just turn on the faucet, turn it off, and watch for any telltale dripping. Your fix might be as easy as replacing the washers on the faucet’s knobs, or you might have a worn cam washer, valve seat, or spring. Realtor.com has you covered with their step-by-step guide to fixing a leaky faucet.

When to call in a pro: If you’d rather not deal with it yourself, you can always hire a plumber. Estimates for fixing leaks vary, but homeadvisor.com says you can expect to spend at least $100.

Windows

All double- or triple-pane windows should have a tight seal around their perimeter that separates the individual panes of glass and traps inert gas between them, providing a break between the temps inside and outside your home.

How to check and DIY: If you notice that your windows are frequently foggy, that’s likely a sign of a failed seal. Try cashing in on your windows’ warranty first; many companies will cover failed seals for a decade or longer. There are a bunch of helpful how-to videos from Lowe’s and others on Youtube. 

When to call in the pros: If your warranty won’t cover a total replacement, check out a professional window defogging company. According to homeadvisor.com, these pros will reseal the window’s perimeter and replace the gas between the panes for an average of $300 (depending on location and the number of windows).

—
Photo Credit:  Alena TS / Shutterstock.com