Find Out Where the Cold Is Coming From Before You Turn Up the Thermostat

There’s a routine I hear about from a lot of Connecticut homeowners this time of year. You sit down in your favorite chair after dinner, feel a chill, and head for the thermostat. An hour later, the kitchen is toasty, the upstairs is stuffy, and your feet are still cold.

Before you bump the heat up another degree, take a walk around the house. More often than not, the culprit is something small that’s been there since last winter.

Start with where you feel it.

Is it the whole house, one room, or just the chair by the window? Does it get worse when the wind picks up? Is the room fine in the afternoon but cold after sundown? Those answers will point you toward the problem faster than the thermostat will.

Check the windows and doors.

Make sure your windows are fully closed and locked. I know that sounds too obvious, but a window that was open on one of those warm October afternoons doesn’t always get sealed properly when it’s shut again. The lock helps pull the sashes together snugly.

On a breezy day, run your hand around the window edges and trim, then do the same around your exterior doors. If you feel air moving, look at the weatherstripping. It flattens, cracks, and comes loose over time. Check the door sweep at the bottom, too. A worn one is often the reason for cold ankles.

Feeling a draft doesn’t automatically mean you need new windows or doors. Often a repair or fresh weatherstripping does the job. Find the problem first, then decide on the fix.

Look at your furniture.

A couch pushed against a baseboard heater or a rug over a floor register keeps heat from getting into the room, and long curtains can do the same thing. Keep heating equipment and return-air vents clear, and follow the manufacturer’s clearance requirements. The furniture layout that worked all summer may need a small adjustment now.

Make your window coverings work for you.

Open them when the sun is shining in, then close them at night to cut down on heat loss. Just keep curtains well away from any heaters. And if your favorite chair sits right next to a big window, sliding it a couple of feet into the room might be all it takes to make your evenings more comfortable.

Don’t forget the filter.

If you have forced-air heat, check the filter according to your system’s instructions, because a dirty one restricts airflow. If you’re not sure which filter to use or how often to change it, ask your heating technician. And if a room suddenly stops getting heat, have the system looked at instead of turning up the thermostat to compensate.

Think beyond windows and doors.

Windows and doors get most of the blame because we sit and walk next to them, but they’re not the only places air sneaks in. Check around the attic hatch, plumbing pipes, and anywhere wiring passes through the house.

That said, please don’t head into the attic with a can of spray foam and seal everything you see. Some openings need to stay clear, and areas around chimneys and heating equipment need special care. If the house is uncomfortable all the time, a professional home energy assessment can pinpoint air leaks, insulation needs, and other causes.

Keep a list.

As you walk around, jot down the room, what you feel, and when it happens. It’s useful whether you end up making a simple repair yourself or calling someone in, because it saves a lot of guesswork.

There’s nothing wrong with turning up the heat when you need it. But before you spend the winter fiddling with the thermostat, give the house a little attention. A few easy fixes might be all it takes to get that chair comfortable again.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

10 Last-Minute Ways to Protect Your Home During Extreme Cold

We’ve spent the last couple of weeks talking about frozen pipes and ice dams, and unfortunately, this weekend is shaping up to be the coldest stretch of the year. When temperatures drop this low, small oversights can turn into expensive problems fast.

The good news? You don’t need to panic or run out and spend a fortune to help your home ride out extreme cold. A few simple, last-minute steps can make a real difference now and help prevent bigger repair bills down the road.

Here are 10 practical things you can do before (and during) a deep freeze.

1. Let faucets drip just a little

A slow, steady drip keeps water moving through pipes, making them far less likely to freeze. Focus on faucets connected to exterior walls, especially in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry areas.

2. Open cabinet doors under sinks

This allows warm air from your home to circulate around plumbing. It’s simple, free, and surprisingly effective, especially overnight when temperatures hit their lowest point.

3. Turn the thermostat up a few degrees

This isn’t the weekend to save on heating costs. A slightly warmer house helps protect pipes in walls, basements, and crawlspaces. Consistent heat is better than dramatic temperature swings.

4. Check that vents and returns aren’t blocked

Furniture, rugs, or curtains blocking vents can reduce heat circulation, creating cold pockets near exterior walls. Make sure warm air can move freely throughout your home.

5. Seal obvious drafts (temporarily is fine)

If you feel cold air coming in around doors or windows, stop it now. Towels, draft snakes, or temporary weatherstripping can help seal gaps quickly and cheaply until permanent fixes can be made later.

6. Make sure attic hatches are closed and sealed

An open or poorly sealed attic hatch allows warm air to escape, cooling your home and contributing to ice dam formation. Even a quick check can help keep heat where it belongs.

7. Clear snow away from foundations and vents

Snow piled against your house can refreeze and cause ice buildup near foundations. Also check dryer vents, furnace exhausts, and intake pipes to make sure they’re clear and functioning properly.

8. Avoid shutting off heat in unused rooms

Closing doors and turning off heat may seem logical, but it can actually increase the risk of frozen pipes in those areas. Keep temperatures consistent throughout the house.

9. Know where your main water shutoff is

This doesn’t cost a dime but it’s critical. If a pipe does burst, shutting off the water quickly can dramatically reduce damage. If you’re not sure where it is, take five minutes to find it now.

10. Don’t ignore warning signs

Unusual drafts, dripping sounds, frost on pipes, or doors suddenly sticking can all be early indicators of cold-weather stress on your home. Addressing small issues now can prevent major repairs later.

A quick reminder

Extreme cold tests even well-maintained homes. These steps aren’t about perfection, they’re about reducing risk and giving your house the best chance to get through a tough weekend unscathed.

If you’ve already dealt with ice dams, frozen pipes, or winter damage in the past, it may be worth having a professional take a look once temperatures rise. Preventative maintenance is almost always cheaper than emergency repairs.

Stay warm, stay safe, and let’s all get through this cold snap without any surprise phone calls to our insurance companies.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros., Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. For remodeling needs, contact O’Donnell Bros., Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Submit questions to Bob at info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. Advice is for guidance only.

Unwanted Holiday Houseguests

As winter settles in, you might find yourself sharing your home with some unexpected guests. Mice, raccoons, squirrels, and even possums often look for warmer places to stay as the weather grows colder. Attics make an ideal retreat, providing shelter from the elements. If you’re hearing strange noises such as squeaks, scurrying, or even hissing, especially late at night, it’s likely that a critter has moved in.

If an animal has taken up residence, it’s important to act quickly before they get too comfortable. Once settled, they may start nesting, which can lead to further damage. Most animals leave clues that help identify them. High-pitched squeaks or chewing sounds usually mean rats or mice, while fast scurrying is often a sign of a squirrel or a mouse. Raccoons, known for their snarling and hissing, tend to make more aggressive noises. While some animals move into your attic on purpose, others may be there by accident and are simply trying to find a way back outside. Understanding what you’re dealing with can help you determine the best course of action.

Animals in your attic aren’t just a nuisance; they pose serious risks to your home. Most will gnaw on anything they encounter, especially mice and rats, which chew through wiring, creating fire hazards. Larger animals like raccoons and possums can tear apart insulation and ruin ductwork, leading to costly repairs. Their droppings and urine can also create unpleasant odors and unsanitary conditions.

If your problem is mice or rats, they likely came in looking for warmth and water. These small animals can squeeze through holes as tiny as a dime, so sealing any potential entry points and fixing leaks is essential. Setting bait traps can catch some of the rodents already inside, but long-term solutions require securing all access points to prevent re-entry.

Squirrels, on the other hand, usually prefer the outdoors and may have come into the attic by mistake. They often get in through soffits or vents. One of the best ways to help them leave is by installing an exclusion door - a one-way exit that allows them to leave but not return.

Raccoons are more determined and will stay put if they find a warm, dark spot. Since they’re nocturnal, try leaving lights on in the attic and playing music to encourage them to find somewhere quieter to rest.

Bats are trickier, as they’re usually very quiet unless there’s a large colony present. Due to potential health risks, bat removal should only be performed by a certified DEEP specialist.

Finally, possums, much like raccoons, are resilient squatters that often refuse to leave. Their droppings can quickly accumulate, leaving a huge mess and a foul odor. The best way to handle a possum is to call a professional for humane trapping and removal.

Ultimately, dealing with unwanted animal visitors is best left to professionals. Ignoring the problem can result in more than a few sleepless nights; it can lead to extensive and costly repairs.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.