Ah, Winter Proof Your Home ! A magical season filled with skiing, sledding, hot chocolate and of course, snow days! But it’s not all sunshine and snowball fights. Freezing temps, gusty winds, and accumulating snow can wreak havoc on your home. So, as you hunker down in front of a crackling fire waiting for the ground to thaw, read on to learn how to protect your home from some of the most common winter-time problems.
Icy Conditions
Icicles hanging from your gutters may look pretty, but they can pull gutters away from your roof, damage shingles, and cause leaks. What’s more, ice dams can creep under shingles – when the ice melts, water can seep into your attic. Prevent this scenario by keeping gutters and downspouts free of leaves and debris and remove snow from the perimeter of your home if you can safely do so. If not, hire someone who can.
Uninvited Houseguests
As temps dip, all sorts of critters start looking for a nice warm place to call home. Keep them out of yours by making sure all weather-stripping is intact, sealing foundation cracks and gaps, and keeping the lids on your trash and recycling barrels tightly closed.
The Big Chill
It’s the coldest day of the season, you’re settled in for the night, and you notice your home getting colder and colder. First, make sure no one turned the thermostat down. If that’s not the problem, check the circuit breaker to see if your furnace is receiving power. Then, check the emergency shut off on the furnace to ensure it’s on – the same goes for the pilot light. If your home is heated by oil, make sure you didn’t just run out. Finally, replace the thermostat batteries. Still no heat? It’s time to call in a professional.
Frozen
No, not the movie – your plumbing pipes. When outdoor temps dip below freezing, water pipes can freeze, crack, and even burst, sending water spewing around once the ice melts. Routinely inspect visible plumbing pipes, insulate those located in unheated areas of your home, and keep all outdoor spigots in the off position. During unusually cold weather, leave under-sink cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes. Before going to bed, leave a faucet turned on to a trickle to keep water moving through the plumbing system. It’s much harder for water to freeze that way.
Of course, what if one or more of your DIY efforts fails? Well, when it comes to all things plumbing, Norhio Plumbing can do it all. Contact us today or anytime to keep the water flowing throughout your home.
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