Winter is looming on the horizon, and forecasters predict that the weeks and months ahead will be colder than normal.
For homeowners, it’s crucial to prepare for whatever winter weather will come our way — from cold and wind to snow and ice. A little prep and planning can go a long way to protect your home against damages that could arise this winter.
Clean Out Your Gutters
One often overlooked but critical aspect of winter preparation is cleaning out your gutters that may have filled up throughout the fall. Remove sticks, leaves and other debris to ensure melting snow and ice can flow freely. This helps avoid ice damming, a situation where water is unable to flow through the gutters, causing leaks and water damage within the house.
Bonus Tip: Consider installing gutter guards to minimize the accumulation of debris, making your gutters more effective in managing winter precipitation.
Trim Trees and Dead Branches
The weight of ice, snow and the force of winter winds can lead to broken branches, posing a risk to your home and vehicles. Take the time now to trim trees and remove dead branches to prevent potential damage during winter storms.
Bonus Tip: Hire a professional arborist to assess and prune trees, ensuring they are well-prepared to withstand winter weather
Maintain Sidewalks, Steps and Handrails
Ensure the safety of your household and guests by keeping your sidewalks, steps, and handrails in good repair. This not only prevents accidents but also makes navigating your property less treacherous during icy and snowy periods.
Bonus Tip: Stock up on salt or sand now, so you’ll be ready to apply it to walkways for better traction when winter weather makes it slick. Slips and falls are not only a health risk, they are a liability risk.
Keep Your House (and Pipes) Warm
To prevent frozen pipes, maintain a minimum temperature of 65 degrees within your home. This simple step can save you from the inconvenience and costly repairs associated with frozen plumbing during winter.
Bonus Tip: Insulate exposed pipes in basements, attics, and crawl spaces to provide an extra layer of protection against freezing temperatures.
Use Space Heaters Safely
If space heaters are absolutely necessary, please use them with an abundance of caution to avoid potential fire hazards. Keep anything combustible at least 3 feet away from the heater and never leave a space heater unattended.
Bonus Tip: Invest in modern, safety-certified space heaters with features like tip-over and overheat protection for added peace of mind.
Review Your Policies with Your Agent
As a final but equally important step, we recommend reviewing your current insurance policy with your agent. The start of a new year is an especially good time to ensure that your coverage is comprehensive and tailored to meet the specific needs of your property.
Bonus Tip: Inquire about additional coverage options, such as coverage for winter-specific damages or increased liability protection during the colder months. We’ll discuss your home and property — including anything new that may have been added recently — and make sure your coverage meets your needs.
By incorporating these expanded winter weather preparation tips into your routine, you can feel confident that you and your home are ready for any challenges the season may bring, so you can enjoy a cozy and worry-free winter.