The temperatures are dropping with the fall leaves, and winter is inevitably approaching. While there are many things to look forward to – hot chocolate, snowball fights, and Christmas music – harsh weather on a house that is not prepared can quickly put a damper on things.
Here are a couple of tips for winter-proofing the interior and exterior of your home, so you can prevent damage and spend more time on the important things; i.e. eating sugar cookies and sipping cinnamon-spiced apple cider.
- Clean out your gutters and install gutter guards so water from melted snow and ice can flow freely away from the house and into the ground.
- Remove dead branches and trim trees close to your home and vehicles – storms and snow can cause limbs to break and fall, damaging your property – or worse, injuring you or a loved one.
- Seal cracks and holes in windows and your foundation to prevent snow melt from seeping in; make sure you have proper protective weather stripping.
- Maintain a temperature in your home of at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit to keep your pipes from freezing – the air between your walls where your pipes are located is significantly colder than the interior of your home.
- Check your pipes for cracks or leaks and install an emergency pressure release valve to prevent your pipes from bursting.
- Make sure your heating system is serviced to prevent fire and smoke damage.
Sometimes despite our best efforts, unfortunate incidents still occur. If you find yourself requiring assistance with damage to your home, it’s important to find a properly licensed and insured contractor that understands your personal needs, as well as how the insurance process works.
With all this being said, welcome back winter; we’ll be ready for you and all of the big and little joys you bring!
