Winterizing Your Home

8/2/2023 (Permalink)

Winter is not too far away… That means knowing what to do to winterize your house.

1. The number one thing that any homeowner should do because it causes the most damage in the winter time. PROTECT YOUR PIPES! Use tubular pipe wrap, insultation fittings, or rolled pipe wrap (depending where in the United States you live) to prevent them from bursting and causing a huge water loss. We receive many calls in the winter because of broken pipes, so this is very important.
2. Prevent roof damage by inspecting the roof for any damaged or missing shingles, clear debris like leaves and dirt that has collected over the fall, clean the gutters so that melting snow can access the roof easily and drain correctly, check the attic for any roof leaks and make sure that its ventilated properly so that mold doesn’t form, another option is installing heated gutters or roof heat cables so that ice doesn’t build up and cause excessive amounts of weight on your roof which could potentially cave in.
3. If you have a fireplace and chimney, have it inspected and cleaned.
4. As for windows, insulated curtains are very useful with keeping in the heat and locking out the cold or have storm windows installed. Other installation recommendations include weather stripping and insulation. This will not only keep your house warm, but also lower your heating bill.
5. Maintain anything that is kept outdoors. Bring in your plants so they don’t freeze and die. Bring in gas grills that have a propane tank, if not disconnect the propane and put a grill cover on the grill. Outdoor furniture can either be brought indoors or covered so they don’t get damaged.
6. Make sure you have all the equipment needed for the snow. Have shovels stocked and check to make sure the snow blower is working properly. Stock up in salt to put on your driveway and sidewalks.
7. Have your heating source serviced by a professional to make sure it is working correctly, cleaned, and that there is ventilation to the outside. Additionally, have a back up heating source just in case.

These simple tips can help maintain your home so that damages don’t occur with extreme cold. SERVPRO is always an option if there are any option. We are open 24/7, so that means if a water line breaks at 2 in the morning, we will be there to help. Check our website to find out what to do in case of any loss until help arrives.