Keeping your home protected as temperatures drop in Greater Richmond area

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- There's no better way to say "Welcome to December" than freezing temperatures across the Greater Richmond region this upcoming week.

Homeowners may want to become "winter-ready," including checking the pipes and making sure the home is properly insulated as temperatures drop below freezing in the area.

Staff at Pleasants Hardware on North Ridge Road said some winter-proofing of the home can help homeowners save a lot of money in the long run.

To protect your pipes from bursting, use pipe insulation or heater tape over any exposed pipes, and put a protector over your outside faucet.

"The damage if you have to repair, replace pipes — that's getting a plumber out there, most of the time, you may have water damage that needs to be taken care of too. So, the price could go sky high, quite honestly," said manager Rick Denning.

If cold air is coming into your home, put caulk inside gaps in doors and windows. Installing a window installation kit and applying Great Stuff foam installation in typically hidden areas can save you money on your energy bills.

"Under the house, in the attic or any space in the wall where you might be able to get to or cracks, this will help seal it up," Denning said.

To further save money, use vent covers to help block airflow into an unused room.

"It would basically just adhere to your metal vent and block the air, so you're not heating a room that you're not using," Denning explained.

Dennis urged homeowners not to plug a space heater into an extension cord, as it's a fire hazard.