People tend to think of dangerous weather as something that happens during the spring and summer with wildfires and hurricanes. In actuality, some of the most dangerous extreme weather in many parts of the country occurs during cold winter months. If you don’t take steps to protect your home from the damage that winter weather can do, you may end up having to pay thousands of dollars in repair bills. With that in mind, below is a checklist of five safety measures to prep your home for winter storms.
Insulated Piping
One part of your home that is especially prone to being damaged by winter weather is your plumbing. If the pipes get too cold, they will freeze and then later burst. The damage done to your home could be in the thousands. Make sure your pipes in at risk locations in your home such as crawl spaces, the attic or the basement are wrapped with insulation.
Solid Roof
Another thing that could be at risk of being damaged during the winter is your roof. If your roof isn’t completely solid, you could end up with significant water damage after the snow begins to thaw. Inspect your roofing to see if it’s up to the task. If it’s not, pay for roofing replacement during the fall to make sure you are ready for winter.
Insulation
Another part of winterizing your home should include ensuring that proper insulation is installed in the correct locations. Like anything, insulation can wear out over time. Make sure to inspect your insulation during the fall and update it if needed. Insulation in the correct locations in the attic, for example, can help to prevent the creation of ice dams.
Gutters and Downspouts
Similarly, your gutters and downspouts also need to be inspected. If they are clogged during the winter, ice dams can form and lead to extensive water damage in your home. If you find there are places where the gutter drips during the day and freezes pools of ice in your side-walks at night repair would be recommended. You don’t want to let a little drip turn into broken bones. This includes cleaning out your gutters during the fall. It’s a job no one likes to do. However, not cleaning out your gutters can have severe consequences.
Blackout Preparation
Blackouts are common during the winter due to freezing power lines. You need to make sure you are prepared. For one, you should never run your water during a winter blackout because your pipes could freeze. Make sure you have bottled water on hand for such an emergency. Also have a first aid kit, flashlights, nonperishable food, blankets and utility company phone numbers on hand as well.
Winter weather can do a lot of damage to your home. It can also kill under certain circumstances. Make sure your home and family are protected by taking the proper safety precautions.
