How to Prepare Your Home for Winter Storms
During the winter months, the weather can get pretty grim. Freezing icy conditions, blizzards, torrential rain, and wind events can test any structure, including your home. The best policy is to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best. Here are some ways you can protect your home from the damage of winter storms this year.
Indoor Checks and Safety Measures
Heating System
No one wants to be stranded at home with no heat during a storm. Before the heavy cold sets in, check that all the parts of your system, including filters, wood heating systems, boilers, furnaces, and pipes, are in good condition. Keep your heating at 65 degrees, even when out of the house, to help protect against frozen pipes.
Pipe Insulation
Not all pipes are within the walls. Check the attic or basement for any exposed pipes and get them insulated. If you want to do it yourself, you can find pre-slit foam pipe insulators online or at your local home improvement store. Just read up on how to apply them so you don’t leave gaps.
Water Main
When was the last time you located your water main? If you can’t remember, it’s been too long. Ensure you know its location and how to turn it on and off. If you have any trouble with frozen or burst pipes during the winter, you can stop the main flow of H2O to prevent your emergency from becoming a disaster.
Faucet Control
Moving water is less likely to freeze than standing water. When the temperature plunges, turn your hot and cold faucets to have a slow, steady drip, particularly those furthest from the water supply, to reduce the risk of frozen pipes in cold weather.
Emergency Supplies
If you are snowed in and can’t go out. Make sure your safety reserves and emergency kit are well stocked. Essential things you need include:
Water
Non-perishable food
First-aid kit
Warm blankets and clothes
Flashlights
Cell phone charger backups
Outdoor Concerns
Cracks and Gaps
Walk around your property and note any places you may lose heating. Small cracks and gaps around windows or your garage door may not expose you to grave danger during a storm, but they could add up to considerable savings on energy costs when addressed.
Gutters
Clean leaves and debris from your gutters. When the storms hit, you don’t want a build-up of water freezing, leading to ice and damage to your roof and home. If you spot icicles, it is a sign that there could be a problem. It is vital to repair any issues to avoid risking severe damage to your home’s structure.
Sidewalks
Keep your sidewalks shoveled and clear of snow and ice. You don’t want visitors to your home to slip and be forced to file a claim against your personal liability policy.
Roofing
It is time to invest in repairs if you have structural issues with your roof or any leaks. Repairs can be managed on cold days without too much snow. A collapsed roof from heavy, wet snow can be a disaster and impossible to resolve in a howling storm.
Air Quality Control
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Your household smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be tested at least once per year. As carbon monoxide poisoning occurs most often during winter, now is the time to check your alarm and replace the batteries. Also, verify the “replace by” date on the back of your device and get it changed out if it is overdue, which should occur about every five to seven years.
Engine Check
While your car isn’t a part of your home, it is wise to think ahead and ensure the engine, oil, and belts are in good condition and can handle the challenges of the winter months. Remember, gas engines running in an enclosed space release carbon monoxide, a deadly odorless gas. Thousands of deaths are caused by unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in the U.S. annually. Always run your car engine and any gas-powered generators outside the house or garage and away from ventilation systems leading indoors. When engines are on inside the garage, even if the doors are open, enough CO can build up and cause serious or deadly consequences.
Stay Safe and Secure with Compatible Coverage
By taking precautions, you can prevent the worst of any storm damage. Not everything can be predicted and prevented, so make sure your homeowner’s insurance is in good shape. Our agents can help answer any questions on whether your current policy includes structural, personal property, and specific peril coverage and how to fill the gaps as needed. Contact us for an interview today.
