The holiday season can be busy. With so much to do – from cleaning and cooking to holiday shopping and entertaining – it’s easy to forget about winter weather safety and home maintenance. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Follow these easy cold-weather preparation tips from the experts at ServiceMaster Restore to winterize your home and help keep everyone safe.
OUTDOOR WINTER WEATHER SAFETY
Use these tips to protect the exterior of your home from harsh winter conditions:
TURN OFF ALL EXTERIOR FAUCETS
To help prevent undrained water in your pipes from freezing, disconnect all the garden, pool and hot tub hoses. Drain any remaining water in the faucets. Then, turn off the water flow to all outdoor faucets from the main shut-off valve, especially if your attachments aren’t weatherproof. Frozen faucets and burst pipes can lead to plenty of damage and hefty repair costs.
CLOSE CRAWL SPACE VENTS
If you keep your crawl space vents open during warmer months, close them before temperatures drop. That way, you can help keep cold air from entering your home and save money in heating bills.
INSPECT THE ROOF
Look for damaged or loose shingles that can lead to leaks. Leaks contribute to mold growth, which can pose a health risk to your family and any holiday visitors. While you’re inspecting your roof, check to ensure that the gutters aren’t blocked by debris, and that all the downspouts direct water away from the home. If snow or rain has a chance to pool near your home’s foundation, it can cause cracks that may allow moisture to seep into your basement or crawl space, putting your home at risk for water damage and mold growth.
PREVENT ICE DAMS
A combination of air leaks and poor insulation can contribute to the formation of ice dams on the roof. Not only is it extremely dangerous to have a heavy collection of sharp icicles hanging from your roof, ice dams can damage gutters and downspouts. They can also trap meltwater on your roof, which can seep under your shingles and potentially cause water damage or mold growth.
