It’s a winter wonderland out there. We hope you are all staying safe on the roads and are getting cozy in front of the fireplace. With any threat of inclement weather, don’t forget to prepare your home for winter storms.
Here are some simple reminders to keep the ice and snow from causing problems for your home and yard. Some preventative home maintenance can save you a headache once the storm strikes.
Frozen Pipes
Pipes should be wrapped to prevent them from freezing, especially in unused areas like crawlspaces and attics. There are a variety of products to help with this such as foam rubber sleeves, fiberglass insulation, and heating tape. Don’t forget to seal any leaks in your home that let cold air in, like a drafty window or gap in the wall.
Ice Dams
To avoid damage your roof, prevent ice dams which occur when snow gathers on your roof, and then starts to melt at the top due to the heating inside your home. The snow slides down your roof until the point where your roof is 32 degrees or under, and then refreezes. This creates a barrier of ice that traps water on the top of your roof. That water can find its way between shingles and seams in your roof, creating cracks that allow water to seep into your home. Gutters on the roof can exacerbate the problem, because they aren’t as affected by your home’s heat. Leaves and debris that have collected in the gutters can trap ice, so it’s important to clean them before winter.
Shovel the Driveway
It seems obvious, but when it gets snowy, make sure to clear walkways and shovel the driveway. This helps you to avoid slips and to make it easier to get in and out of your driveway, put salt, sand or deicing pellets on your outdoor stairs and walkways to prevent ice from forming. Be sure to shovel snow off of it right after a storm, before the snow has a chance to melt and turn into ice. Shovel down the center of your driveway, and then scrap the snow to the sides of the driveway.
What do you do to get your home ready for the cold temperatures? Let us know in the comments below; And don’t forget to bundle up!