How to Winter-Proof Your House and Save Money!

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

Learn how to make a TON of money by checking out our Bench Series Playlist: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kICpo62CpaeknJY

[@nytrusbk]

it doesnt take a lot of water either.... I had one that expanded.... thank goodness it didn't burst.... only found out because I wanted to move the connection

[@magartus]

Hi Jeff do you have any video how to install heavy mantle fireplace barn wood mantle?

[@solomontola2658]

Hi Jeff I need to install exhaust fan on my ground floor powder room. If you are interested and have time please let me know, I really need to get it done.

[@CliffordAgyei-Mensah]

@@magartus I'd watch that and make one if he did it in the past.

[@jeremiahrussell1389]

@@nytrusbk 6

[@m.k.278]

I'm a millennial, and first time homeowner. I love this video, because it feels like my Dad is giving me adulting lessons. I really do need this info and advice! Thank you!

[@klevy300]

Bless your heart. ❤

[@Starry_Night_Sky7455]

This is all the real world knowledge never learned in college.

[@paeden5431]

​@weekendwarrior3420 lol what?! Are you a Boomer? Just curious.

[@bigaz72]

Hey we've all needed Dad's wisdom at some point in our life. All of older guys & gals have been in the same spot as you!

[@GStat7]

Yeah im a milennial born in 88, and I grew up without phones and high speed internet, so believe me, thats definitely gen zs.

[@artespop1]

I love learning...thanks. tonight is my first night as a homeowner.

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

Congratulations!

[@lisadearing5960]

You’re lucky you have KZbin as a resource. We have been homeowners since 1986. We had nothing except Bob Vila on TV once a week! 😁. Congratulations on being a new homeowner! Keep watching Jeff’s videos. He gives out great information! I’ve learned a lot from him.

[@artespop1]

@Nick J how do you know? Experience? Lol

[@Olds_Gold]

I too am a debt Slave To The Man! :-)

[@norge696]

@@lisadearing5960 For some reason I read 1896! I was gonna ay damn Lisa, you looking fine for being over 120 years old.

[@chrisboucher9916]

ive been a master contractor for 139 years... everything you said was accurate.precise and true, great job!

[@lizard8374]

I’m a single mom buying first home. You’re like the Dad I never had.🙌🙏🏼 Immensely grateful for the detailed breakdown!!

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

Well done. Happy to be of some help. Cheers!

[@DesignAlchemist]

I'm 27 and I bought my first house in January - I was nowhere near prepared for anything about home ownership. Your videos have been a godsend. I thought "Yeah, I've laid tile, painted, laid flooring, I think I can handle it." No one can prepare you for all the work that even goes into picking out new appliances. I look forward to watching your videos every time they come out. Thank you so much for making home ownership so much more bearable!

[@constancemiller3753]

I love this guy. He's my house Dad.

[@misfitbrit1989]

You're like the dad I never had getting me ready to really take care of my home. Homeownership will come sooner or later. Thank you for the detailed breakdown to winterize. That's really important and especially now.

[@researchcapt]

Couldn't help but noticing the nice kitchen design in the background.

[@shadedwulf]

As a first time homeowner I can Say I love your videos man. That Hose bib info.... I never knew, and I live in upstate New York so it's freezing winters every winter. Your videos need way more attention because you're helping us man, learn the things no one ever talks about and saving us from wasting money man.. keep it up.

[@keithcoleman9115]

Would like to see a video of what you should do semi-annually when walking your property and home. 🙂

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

we will do that video for springtime for sure.Cheers!

[@rentzusuken]

@@HomeRenoVisionDIY Awesome, looking forward to that.

[@pidgepagonis]

@@HomeRenoVisionDIY is it out?

[@jasonalexander4565]

I bought the same gutter extensions and they all leak hella water at each joint. Removed all of the gutter extensions and replaced with Corrugated pipe trenched with overflow pop-ups. Works Phenomenally!

[@skepheretic2542]

Those corner seals are supposed to go in thin side towards the inside of the jamb so the seal gets tighter as the door is closed. Not thin side up as shown in the vid.

[@keithcrawford3110]

Came to the comments to make sure someone called this out... Never installed them before but it just seemed so obvious just looking at the geometry.

[@bfstudios9163]

if you need anything done for your house, this man has a (or more) video for it.

[@sirnuggets9666]

Life tip, those door guards are like $10-15 each. Thriftier option is some foam pipe insulation covers, usually come in a pack of 3-4 for like $4. They come with a slit down the side and can slide right under your door and they don't slide around either. I get the 1 inch size and for $4 all my doors are sealed up.

[@andrewher7170]

First time homebuyer at 25, closing this Friday. Your videos are helping me prepare as best as I can. The education I never received about homes I’m getting on KZbin! Thanks, love the videos.

[@TheOne610]

Same, except I am closing in two weeks

[@mathiashellum3618]

Quick tip about caulking, you mentioned its a mess to touch up. If you use certain dish wash soaps (believe Pine Sol is one in the US), mix it up a bit with water and dip your finger in it. The texture on your finger becomes smooth enough that you can smear it up however you like with smooth clean lines.

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

Cheers!

[@MaMa-qh4dy]

I tried that when applying silicon between a painted beam and concrete in order to keep water out of the gap. The cosmetic look was good, but the silicon peeled away from the beam and concrete. I will never again use soapy water when applying silicon.

[@mathiashellum3618]

@@MaMa-qh4dy Although I do not know, I assume you may have gotten some of the soapy water in behind where the silicone was intended to bond, which would create a poor contact surface. I always use minimal amounts and make sure it is never anywhere else than on my finger. I don't see how it would ruin the bond to the contact surface, as you only touch the exposed part of the silicone. Hope it helps :)

[@mannys9130]

High proof rubbing alcohol works too and evaporates quickly. :) Clean the surfaces being caulked with the alcohol, apply the bead, wet your finger with it, and smooth it out.

[@skyline5354]

We always leave our hose bib half open/closed all winter to allow water to flow out if there is some still in there. If you close it completely when you do have water still in the pipe it won’t have anywhere to go so Booom goes the pipe. If you leave it semi open it allows the expansion of any water to move freely and escape if needed

[@michellekanehe-hudson2917]

Yes, we always did that too. Now we live in Hawaii, no freezing pipes here 🌈

[@24BxFran13]

Might have to do this because my 1930 home doesn’t seem to have a shutoff valve and we are at 22 degrees at night 😢

[@PiIsRational]

This was a fantastic episode. As a first-time homeowner in a very cold part of the country, this is going to save me tons of money.

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

Cheers Happy to help!

[@hustlindaddiy5194]

Never thought about taking out the gaskets when painting the door. Genius.

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

they come in different colors too so you can change the look when painting. Cheers!

[@whattheschmidt]

My trick was I painted the door the week before I moved in, because it was a bright lime green and needed to be red, so I put it up on saw horses inside the house with plastic and did a few coats of paint, let dry for a whole week :).

[@maegardnermills4292]

Do all you can if you are able to save money. For us, my husband had a stroke and you know weather damage is on hold. Take care of yourselves. Have a Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas.

[@laurelw2199]

Weather proofing my inherited home from 103 yr old Mammy. She did best she could, but things are in real need of love. Thanks for your informative videos, makes me feel empowered, and grateful..

[@yanik.ottenbreit]

What a complete video! We're expecting -50°C with wind chill here in Saskatoon this winter. Tons of goodies in this guide. Thanks Jeff!!!

[@tuanand955]

Door sweeps made a huge difference in a 150 y/o house. Amazing how simple things can add up. Cheers from Cambridge, ON!

[@eraduhcate8869]

Going to be checking this now! You have made me so better at being a homeowner and I appreciate it!

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

Cheers James!

[@MontyBird45]

One of the best Home Improvement videos I have seen. More useful information delivered per minute than I've seen before in terms of $$ benefit to the consumer.

[@brookeadair7097]

This will be my first Michigan winter as a homeowner, I'm so glad I watched this! Our house is old (1925) and we just put up the plastic sheets on the old windows, now I'm wishing we would have taken down the trim to see the insulation!

[@timothys9174]

This is the most informative video I’ve seen in a long time. Big fan of this channel. Moved to the north 5 years ago & a lot of this I’ve learned by accident but this video taught me a few things. To the point. Not cocky. A true gentleman with great teaching ability. Thanks from FL to NYC transplant.

[@kmacc974]

You have NO idea how much I needed that! I am originally from California and living in western, upstate NY as a very new homeowner. Thank you!!!

[@josh88113]

I actually did this weather stripping today. I’ve needed it for so long

[@davinder1068]

Jeff i love all your videos. Your sense of humor along the way makes me laugh. You make it very easy to understand and encourage us to do things around the house or at least be very informed before the contractor comes. The pace you show things makes it easy to follow for new homeowners who know very little.

[@lynnesews9725]

I have never understood these important facts of outdoor faucets. I guess I have been lucky all of these years that I haven’t had a problem. Thank you for this video.

[@jeffprobst6138]

Thanks Jeff! I've been a DIYer for years, acted as a general contractor/laborer when building a two story 30'x42' garage/mother in law suite and am slowly renovating my 1939 home. I always learn something new from your videos! Didn't know it was so easy to replace the door weather stripping on new construction doors!!

[@VarunVargheseMuriyanat]

What I love about Jeff's videos is that he keeps it downright real and doesn't try to look instagram perfect. The way he talks reminds me a lot of my dad.

[@adilenecastillo2136]

That’s so true! Back then they only used insolation around the windows!! I live in Chicago, the house we bought was built in 1951 and now that we opened up a wall to fix the bathroom we found fiber glass tucked in around the window. I kind of feel that something was missing and this video confirmed my impression. Thank you!!

[@RachelR272]

I can attest to the insulation in Florida. We received an absolutely ridiculous electric bill ($250+ on a 1600 sqft house, no pool). We went into the attic to see the insulation was basically gone. After renting the atticat and blowing 10bags of insulation, our next electric bill was $84. It was a super fun project. We felt like ghostbusters. Definitely wear long sleeves, pants, gloves, hat, mask while using the atticat because you don’t want the insulation sticking to you and you definitely don’t want to inhale the insulation. ❤️

[@pablo2097]

Thank you so much! My wife and me will be moving to our brand new house that just got build a week ago. Definitely all these tips are incredibly handy to watch in the Demonstration day. Thank you so much!!!

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

Best of luck! and Congrats on the house! Cheers!

[@pablo2097]

@@HomeRenoVisionDIY Thank you Jeff!

[@CliffordAgyei-Mensah]

I see why you are 1.4M subs strong. I've been watching your tutorials and videos for about 2 years and each time I learn something new.

[@everyone2975]

Thank you! Loved the explanation of the hose bib and bleeder valve.

[@adilenecastillo2136]

First time homeowner for a year now. The info about the water valve blew my mind, I will go and check if our house has it or not, right now.

[@fglkrail]

I never thought about the spigot so thoroughly...I’m checking my pipe’s angle tomorrow! Thanks for looking out! I’m a first time homeowner and your videos have been so helpful.

[@scotteric8711]

Reminds me of the Black & Decker or Time Life series books of DIY that I grew up with. On point my friend!

[@TK-setophaga]

I like your videos. I do a fair amount of home stuff over 3 homes. Before spackling a crappy drywall install i watch your videos. Then no longer agonizing over spackling a really crappy drywall install.

[@tigger6186]

Window rope putty changed my life last year. It made a huge difference with my 180 year old windows. I just went and sealed the transom window over my front door. I thought the screen door was tapping in the high wind but I discovered that the really cold arctic air is pouring in and causing the window to gently tap. Since it's 2am and we're having a blizzard I used what I have on hand. Which was one more roll of that window rope putty.

[@deliaramirez9361]

Great video. You simplify the problem and explain the solution thoroughly so all can understand what you are talking about. Thank you. I've learned so much from you....technical stuff, I won't touch. But simple stuff, yes I've done many things around my house and saved $$. Thankyou!!

[@a.Janine.pretty]

Just found your channel a few months ago, will be buying a home soon and am gaining VITAL experience in home maintenance and repair! Thank you thank you thank you!!!!

[@95dodgev10]

Another suggestion that i just recently learned about are chimney balloons. I have an old wood fireplace in my basement that i have no intention of using any time soon. There's a balloon out there that goes above the flue gets inflated, seals out all the cold air assuming you dont use your fireplace and in the summer it keeps bugs and what not from coming in. It has a string that hangs down into your fireplace so if you do go to use the fireplace the string catches your eye and reminds you to take it out before lighting a fire.

[@mgrmoose]

I'm glad I came across this video! I'm a first time home owner and I'm getting ready to turn off the outside spigot. I would have just turned off the valve and the spigot without checking to see if there's a slight downward slope. Considering how just about everything else was installed in this place, I doubt it was put in properly. Thank you for this information!

[@sassytiger5425]

I checked off a bucket list item and fulfilled a life long dream this year when i bought a home. It was built in 1950 so ive had my hands full and my pockets empty! Between doing plumbing, heating and cooling, along with a plethora of other home repairs and basic upkeep ....i have been attending the "KZbin University" to learn how to fix everything myself. Saving tons of money is a personal priority too. Okay I'll admit it...i am a cheap person 😂 but as I completed tasks i developed a sense of pride...its a wonderful feeling being handy and doing the work on my own. Especially since im a city girl in my 40's. Dare i say, im even proud of myself. Now i feel bad though...and i must admit my initial opinion of you was less than desirable. Hear me out, When i began the homeowner journey last summer i saw a lot of you. Actually you were showing up for EVERYTHING as if I was only allowed to get your page. No disrespect but i tried to skip your vids because i got sick of you, lol and even tried to figure out how to block you. But I luckily didn't and Im glad you're here, i came back today to do research on winterizing the old shack and here you are again... but this time I really enjoyed your calmness and sense of humor...which we desperately need as an owner of a (relic )fixer upper ☺ what can I say, you grew on me buddy and now I look forward to seeing your goofy face 😉 thanks for helping me keep my money where it belongs, in my pocket! Along with my sanity. Keep up the good work 😍

[@amylaurin7269]

Our frost free sillcocks in the US don't usually come with the wedge. I think they manufacture them with the slope, but I always install a small wooden wedge under the sillcock to give me a few degrees or mount my interior shutoff high with a couple of talons.

[@khit007]

Thank you!!! I bought a house two years ago and the outside was just really loud and it was drafty.... Thanks to your videos (I forget which one exactly) I finally checked the top and bottom of my trim which wasn't caulked at all! I just did it today and it's much quieter! Thanks for the tips! I hope it will help with the ants in the summer too!!! :D

[@Acheron2010]

Just purchased a home in Canada, seeing one of these long hose bibs for the first time. Now I know how they operate, and I can do the proper inspection. Thanks.

[@hurricanelolly]

Omg thank you so much for this! I’ve finally figured out why our winter-safe hose bib (or whatever it’s called, but it’s supposed to be frost-free and pretty much guaranteed for life) has to be replaced every year or so and that thing is about $50! Thank you!

[@rgrah0]

Anyway we can get a video or checklist on the semi-annual house inspection you mentioned? How to turn off the outside tap, is money in the bank. And I must admit, until this video, I would have been that battery guy with the smoke detector. Off to buy batteries.

[@nolanbooker5461]

This is the best 28mins of KZbin. Thanks.

[@smshh33]

The house bib discussion was brilliant. Thank you! 💯

[@MikeStolarchuk]

This video is pure gold, all in one, quick and to the point, perfect. 👍👍

[@omarrivera0108]

Just moved into a new home!! Omg. Need help winter-rizing the place. Great call on making this video. My wife and I have been watching Jeff. You Helped me do my deck in the old place. Time for the new home projects!!

[@kimberlycampagno9410]

I just bought my first home in November I’m excited but nervous on how to care for it! I’m a single woman with no male help so I have to learn from the internet.Thank you for your time and tips.

[@IliaUsmanov]

Came to this video for information on how to seal windows. Left with more knowledge of faucets that I've ever had before. Thanks Jeff for the thorough video. Subscribed!!

[@kalebbillig3472]

18:52 even with the addition here in MN, I engineered tongue and groove wood flooring separates and anywhere you had a tiny unnoticeable gap, you get actual separation

[@theabstractsunflower7]

Wow. There’s a lot to this home maintenance. Thank you for all this information. Im going to make a list, pray, take a breath and do this step by step.

[@Whistlewalk]

Thx. I'm going to inherit an old house in the next year or so and have never had to deal with these issues before. Your videos and info is going to be invaluable.

[@sfphoto1726]

This is gold! Thorough explanation, nice and easy to understand. Thank you in 2024!

[@angellas.1314]

😳 I finally know what that humidifier is for in my boiler room. 😒 🙄. Thank you for this. And why I should use it. I must have asked at least 4-5 GCs and they didn’t explain this well enough for me. Now I just have to figure out how to crank it up. 😛.

[@Noahinthe802]

Just bought a house this past summer and this video has been extremely helpful WOW! Thank you!

[@tinamaheux7238]

You know you are from Canada when your video comes complete with a Tim Hortons coffee ;) love the video, a lot of great info to get our home ready for the winter brrrrrrr

[@johnschumacher3618]

Thanks for explaining. Outside water valve. Great info love your passion for getting a point across. I learn a lot every time I watch. Thanks. John from frigid Minnesota.

[@saeedsobhani4213]

Every time I watch your very informative videos, I’m more pissed of from this home developer who built the townhome I’m living in, it left us with so many corrections and renovations on our part, it should be illegal. Thank for your very Canadian channel.

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

Cheers!

[@spagamoto]

I felt that :) Previous owner of my place subscribed to the "one tick below minimum viable" philosophy. It's ok though, with every video Jeff posts our houses will get better and better!

[@ecospider5]

The black rubber gasket at the end of the hose bib that you replace when the faucet starts to leak is flat. I mention this because after 20 years of pressure it will look like a top hat. I spent 2 months looking for the right size of top hat gasket until my friend said just try a flat one. Which of course worked great.

[@far3]

Thank you for this last part about the water shutoff. I just moved into a new home a few weeks ago in Denver metro. It is going to get -5 C tonight. I was able to poke around in the weird ceiling crevices in my basement and found both of my hose shutoff valves. Not sure what the other thing was, looked like an old laundry chute.

[@LCculater]

All your videos are very professional and watch all of them ! I’ve learned so much from them and thank you .

[@intox69]

That outdoor tap bit made me go put a level on the pipe to make sure it was angled the right way lol... It is and it has a bleeder valve at the shutoff also, thanks for the heads up. The stuff you don't even know to think about...

[@kamranayub]

Great stuff! I laughed at "your hose bibs should have a shut-off" because mine didn't! I just had them installed. The plumber did say it was using frost resistant (proof?) bibs but now I have the valves. I didn't know about the angle but makes total sense, thanks for that tip! One other tip for folks: usually there's a home energy audit you can get. Mine was $60 or so and they checked most of this especially the door/window sealing. They will also usually seal it up for you as part of the audit. They also did a leak test with a door blower and I got some special pricing and rebates for doing my attic insulation. I paid for it but maybe next time when I need it again I'll watch Jeff's other video on it! 😁 For my windows, I am replacing them eventually sometime soon so I actually just did brown caulking on the inside instead of the spray foam. My windows are in bad shape so I don't think it's worth taking all the casing off since I just want to get rid of all that. Caulking made a big difference on the draftiness so definitely do the spray foam or something for old windows.

[@screwgunsupernova]

First time homeowner here… never even lived in a house before, only apartments. I WISH I saw this video before the summer. I’m assuming it’s too late to do anything about my outside pipes at this point but pray they don’t explode😟definitely sitting full of frozen water right now

[@jacquelinelaureano818]

I will be closing in my house next month and let me tell you everything I will be doing myself will be thanks to you! Thanks for sharing all your knowledge. ❤️☺️

[@kmacc974]

same for me! First time home owner AND I'm originally from California so have absolutely NO knowledge of any of this. lol So grateful for this video.

[@lostinmyspace4910]

Who here has come to listen to this almost half hour video on tightening up your home for a warmer house to save money on home heating, and other winterization tips? did you forget to give him the all important THUMBS UP? He at least serserves that from everyone who takes this information. I for noe will not forget his demonstration on the outside spikot and the positive slope of the pipe. THUMBS UP!!

[@leti032]

Planning on moving to a colder state so this episode really helped me understand more about houses and preparedness

[@MegsCarpentry-lovedogs]

Well now thanks for doing a visual about the bleeder valve and how the hose needs to be sloped! I had no idea! Thanks so much for the visual education and your patience. Atlantic Canada during Covid :)

[@ericwotton2046]

We topped off our attic insulation. Saved us alittle over 100 gallons of heating oil last year. Savings add up fast when it 5 buck a gallon.

[@ShiryouOni]

Today I learned in a mysterious land door frames have gaskets. Been working on older houses in oklahoma most of my life and have never seen these futuristic seals. Thanks for the video!

[@Olds_Gold]

Dude... Jeff, you are the man. I swear when I think of a project that I need or want to do in my house, within three days you post a diy all about it! It's like you're in my head! Weird..... but very helpful. :-)

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

Glad to help

[@ChedWick05]

This is just what I needed for my old drafty virtual non insulated house.

[@zipperdingo6385]

Hey Jeff, there is a generous value in every video you release

[@jenuine182]

Enjoying watching from the littlest state in the US...seems like you're having more fun lately. Loving all the advice for two young home owners. Thanks!!!!

[@JonTanOsb]

If your door has a gap under the knob side, remove the top one or two screws in the top hinge and replace with a longer screw. That will tighten the door and remove the gap. Jon in rural BC, Canada

[@krystaljackson3471]

I really appreciate all your clear concise input on home care!

[@huseenabibi5426]

Thank you so much for showing us how easy it is to fix things around the house.

[@weave4181]

I'm a new homeowner and I want to thank you.

[@mariagerolaga3402]

I just wanted to say Chi Miigwech I believe this is my 2nd year using you on our organization page to educate people on how to weatherize there homes

[@metalliequus3343]

How can someone dislike such informative video

[@andrewadams8601]

The tip about removing the weather stripping so that you can let the paint dry helped me out. Planning on painting our front door, but we weren't sure how to let it dry without leaving the door open.

[@brown55061]

I had a home energy assessment done. You wouldn't believe how much air leaks through outlet cover plates. Mine were WHISTLING when they pressurizes the house. If you seal off air leaks you'll dramatically reduce the drafts in the winter months.

[@jribolla]

There is a ton of good info here. Because I’m “that guy”, I would just point out that while ice occupies more volume than water, the difference in volume is not dependent on how cold the ice is. It doesn’t swell more as it gets colder. Once it’s fully frozen, which can happen at 0 C or 32 F, it has grown in volume as much as it will grow. That doesn’t really change anything you said about the hose bib though- this is still good advice.

[@jddasha690]

Wow thank you for the information. I've been just shutting off the water from the outside. Feel like we should be taught this in school.

[@sae9381]

Good information as always! Freeze warning tonight for Illinois! Thanks for the reminders!

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

Good luck!

[@organizerofthingsandstuff]

I really appreciate all of the knowledge you share with the public.

[@maixiong5097]

This video is very informational. Thanks for all your tips and tricks for maintaining a home-especially an older home.

[@amerlin388]

Great channel. As mentioned in other comments, it is important to mention for first timers who may not know... Disconnect the garden hose. Don't screw on a cap on the bib. If you have a screw-on manifold (splitter), remove it or open the individual shut-offs. Maybe edit your pinned comment to include these points. Thanks.

[@bitghost4700]

Thanks for this advice! I'm about to move into a house built in 1883 and have been watching lots of your videos, especially this reno on the farmhouse due to the similarities in age. We won't be able to start any major renos before winter hits so planning on winterizing what I can(and what makes sense) to reduce some of the heating costs. We are expecting lots of crazy stuff, but I can't wait to get started!