Chip Wade - Expert Craftsman

Winterization is all about keeping the warm air in and the cold air out. Have you already filled obvious cracks in your home and checked the insulation in the attic? Good. Now it’s time to follow my next tip…

KEEP THE BUGS AT BAY
We as humans are not the only animals that appreciate a warm and comfortable home in the winter. No matter how hospitable some of us may be, unwanted guests are never welcome. Don’t underestimate the damage that pests can do not just in your home, but around your home as well when left unattended for seasons at a time. Keep the rodents,
termites, ants and other insects at bay by calling in your pest control expert for their seasonal service.

In addition to helping your winterization efforts, you can eliminate a small bug problem before it turns into a bigger headache!

After you make sure to fill obvious cracks in your home, my next winterization tip is to make sure your home is not suffering from…

INSUFFICIENT ATTIC INSULATION
In the fall and winter we are heating our homes, and this expensive heated air rises to the highest point in the house. If it is not contained by sufficient insulation in the attic, we are letting precious dollars float silently away. Start by checking the areas touching heated space like your ceiling joists and walls adjacent to finished spaces. A good rule of thumb is, if you can see the framing members you are probably losing too much energy. Find out what your local recommended R-value is from your neighborhood hardware store. Check what the R-value is on your current insulation by looking on the printed paper backing or measuring the thickness if loose. Add strategically where it may be lacking.

Two tips downs and three to go- make sure you follow all of my winterization tips this blistery season!

As the winter months approach, I wanted to share with you all a few tips for winterization- a term used loosely to keep the cold air outside and the warm air inside.

Studies show the average home can have enough open cracks and holes that the combined area can be around a few feet! This is a huge amount of open space and can easily be eliminated. For today’s winterization tip, make sure you pay attention to…

OBVIOUS CRACKS
Open cracks on the exterior walls of the home are usually the biggest culprit in energy loss. Also, be sure to check around the tops of exterior door frames, outlets and switches on the perimeter walls for openings. Use an elastomeric caulk to seal any holes under 1/4″ and use expanding foam sealer for larger holes. You can purchase outlet gaskets and new weather stripping for your outlets and doors.

I have four additional winterization tips to share so make sure to check back for the rest of the series- and by all means, stay warm!

It has been an active, messy and fun-filled two weeks at the Dallas Zoo during the SmartStrand Zoo Challenge and now it’s time to check in on how SmartStrand with DuPont Sorona renewably sourced polymer carpet is holding up!

As you can see, the 6 African Elephants took little time warming up to the carpet in their enclosure- and the resiliency of the SmartStrand carpet fiber is really shining. The fiber itself has a unique coil structure, recognized by the Federal Trade Commission, which allows it “spring” back into form- even under the duress of 45,000 pounds of wild animals!

SmartStrand has also faced the mess made by 3 camels who were right at home on the luxurious feel of the carpet. This will truly put the engineered-in stain resistance to the test. Moyo, our 3,000 pound Black Rhino, has been relentless as well- he’s picking up right where Ricko the Rhino’s abuse ended. It will be an incredible feat if SmartStrand carpet can survive this extreme challenge… You will have to see it to believe it!

I’ve been doing a LOT of interviews lately, it seems that everyone wants to know about my involvement with the SmartStrand Zoo Challenge presented by Mohawk. It makes sense considering the stakes are even higher this year!

Click here to listen to my interview with FloorDaily.net. I got to talk with FloorDaily’s Kemp Harr about the SmartStrand Zoo Challenge and the revolutionary SmartStrand with DuPont Sorona renewably sourced polymer carpet, but also about trends in the flooring industry, my HGTV programs and even my personal consulting business.

Hope you enjoy and stay tuned for even more interviews and updates!