The winter temperatures, winds, snow and ice can take its toll on property and on your nerves. They can also create situations for injuries if you’re not careful. Although you likely can’t avoid all problems, you can at least take measures to prevent as many as possible. Keeping ten tips in mind for winter home protection can help prevent problems and ease many frustrations during the winter months and long after the harsh cold weather passes.
Clean out the gutters
Leaves get blown into the gutters in fall and after awhile they start to build up. When there’s a snowstorm, all that gunk buildup causes ice and snow to build up on the roof and add extra weight. Clean out all the gunk out of the gutters before the cold weather comes in.
Prepare for space heater usage
It’s easy to just set up a space heater in your home and let it go, but taking a few precautions can help protect your home throughout the winter. Have a talk with any kids in the home about the importance of staying away from the heater and keeping anything flammable away from it. Check the heater to make sure it’s been tested for safety before even using it. Whenever it’s set up, place it on a flat surface and away from anything flammable including clothing, curtains and bedding.
Check fire and carbon monoxide alarms
With the furnace running, space heaters being used and extra decorations plugged in for the holidays, you want to take extra care to make sure the fire and carbon monoxide alarms are working properly. There should be at least one placed near the bedrooms and one near the kitchen. Change the batteries and test the alarms before you need to start using heat in your home.
Do roof repairs
Get any cracked or missing shingles on your roof repaired before winter rolls in. The nasty weather can cause severe leaks and damage to your roof and inside your home if they’re not repaired beforehand. Not getting them fixed can create many more problems than what would have been necessary had repairs been initially done.
Repair any small entry spaces
It’s not uncommon for animals to try to sneak in during winter to try and stay warm; we found a couple of squirrels who decided to hunker down in our attic crawl space rent-free. They gained entry from a spot we didn’t check. Do an entire check of your home and repair any holes where animals can get in especially attic crawl spaces, small holes in the foundation and crawl spaces under the house. Even the smallest holes can be an open invitation. It’s not exactly a pleasant experience, but neither is finding a pile of animal feces or dead animals in unexpected spots in your home.
Build a winter emergency kit
You know what happens when the news announces a snowstorm is coming – sheer panic as everyone rushes to get the items they don’t have, and usually those items are either hard to get or they’re sold out all-together. Get a new snow shovel, snow blower and any other snow removal tool you need. Buy several bags of rock salt, get new waterproof snow boots and stock up on extra batteries, candles and matches in case the electricity goes out.
Winterize your windows
To help lower heating bills and keep the heat in, consider getting a window insulator kit, especially if you have extra large windows. Put insulating foam around air conditioners and use rubber weather sealing around the frames of your windows. Make sure to change out your screens with storm windows.
Have your furnace inspected
With the heat going throughout the winter, you’ll want to make sure your furnace is in perfect working order. Don’t do the check or repairs yourself unless you’re qualified to do so. What you can do is move anything flammable away from it to prevent any fires.
Check your fireplace
Have your fireplace and chimney inspected and cleaned out before winter. Put a screen in front of the fireplace to prevent any embers from jumping out and sparking a fire and move anything flammable at least four feet away. Stock up on firewood and keep it close to the house so you won’t have to trek in a snowstorm to get it.
Trim trees
Back in October, many of us were caught off guard when a snowstorm rolled through our area in the Northeast. Many were killed or injured by falling tree limbs that were weighed down with snow. Although it’s odd for weather like that in October, many still wait until the very last minute, if at all, to take care of tree limbs that need to be cut down. All it takes is one giant pile of snow on a weak tree branch for it to come crashing down on you, someone else, or right through your home. Get your trees inspected and have any questionable branches cut down to prevent any problems.
Although it seems like a hassle to check everything before winter, it really can save you a huge amount of money and aggravation once the bad weather strikes. No one ever thinks something is going to happen to them or their property, but it’s always quite possible. In the long run, taking precautions is better for your safety, your home and your wallet.