Chip Wade - Expert Craftsman

One of the best parts about traveling and speaking at Home Shows across the nation is meeting all of the DIY-craftsmen like you! If you are anywhere near Philly this weekend, I will be speaking at the Philadelphia Home Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

On Saturday, January 22nd, I will give presentations at 12:00 PM and at 4:00 PM. The following day Sunday, January 23rd, I will give presentations at 12:00 PM and at 2:00 PM.

Make sure to bring pictures of your home DIY projects so that I can help answer any design, construction and how-to questions that can move you forward. Visit the official website www.PhillyHomeShow.com for more information, times, and directions.

Let the busy season begin! Even though I will not be in the same city for more than 5 days at a time for the next 3 months, I know it will be worth it. I look forward to meeting everyone- see you there!

Happy Holidays all the way from Tahoe! It’s been an incredibly busy year and I finally have a chance to enjoy some of this beautiful winter weather. Hope everyone is enjoying the cold months as much as I am, follow my official @chipwade Twitter stream for even more updates.

Speaking of winter weather, I hope that the winterization tips I offered on this blog are helping you keep the cold at bay. A little foresight will help keep your home warm and maximize what you receive in return for your energy costs.

Also, I’ve just started posting the video recaps of the SmartStrand Zoo Challenge and the footage is very impressive. Check back later this week because the best videos are coming up…

Once again, Mohawk SmartStrand with DuPont Sorona renewably sourced polymer carpet battled the toughest, most colossal competitors on the planet and emerged victorious in fantastic fashion. I was fortunate enough to witness the SmartStrand Zoo Challenge in person at the Dallas Zoo and the messy SmartStrand carpet was a site to behold. All I can say is the results speak for themselves:

This is just the beginning! I have more incredible footage to show you from Mohawk and I still can’t believe the lengths they go to showcase the amazing properties of SmartStrand. I definitely enjoyed the SmartStrand Zoo Challenge, stay tuned for the additional videos- This is amazing stuff!

By now the cold weather has struck the nation and hopefully everyone has filled all obvious cracks, checked the attic insulation, sprayed for bugs and replaced old windows. Although this last winterization tip might seem obvious, it can also be easily overlooked…

THIS IS THE TIME TO CHECK YOUR HEATER
Be proactive and insure that your heating system is going to perform when you need it. Be sure to buy a large pack of air filters as you should be changing them monthly during the heating months. If you have not had your heating system looked at by a professional in the last two years, bring him in to give it a once over. The cost of the service is balanced by the gains in efficiency and piece of mind. Finally, now could be the time to install an updated thermostat that allows you to program your heating to fit your schedule, so you are not spending money you don’t need to when you are away.

Let’s face it, it is hard to avoid the cold weather completely, but at least your home can be a warm sanctuary. Try these DIY winterization tips and let me know if you think of any additional advice to add to my list!

All of the obvious cracks in your home have been filled, you’ve
checked the attic insulation, the bugs are being kept at bay- your winterization process is going great! For my next tip, it is important to note that…

YOUR WINDOWS MAY BE LETTING MORE IN THAN THE SUNSHINE
Replacing old windows that rattle, leak or just do not insulate very well can be a scary proposition considering the potential expense and the scheduling of the installation itself. If replacement is not in your budget or schedule, consider a cost effective window winter
insulation kit. They are under $5 apiece, and go on like plastic shrink wrap. Just remember- completely cover the entire window including the trim for maximum effectiveness.

I’ve got one more tip for maximizing your winterization efforts, be sure to check back for my final step in this DIY process to beating the cold weather!