Warm Winter Homeowner Tips
Winter weather is tough for all of us, but especially for
your home! Not only snow, but also
frigid temperatures can cause damage to your home. While it may be a bit too late to consider
some precautions, there’s still a lot you can do to prevent damage & keep
your home warm & comfortable.
Another potential issue when the temperature drops below freezing is frozen pipes. It’s a good idea to wrap water pipes in insulation or at least open cabinet doors to allow warm air to reach pipes under the sink. Another option is to allow the faucet to drip – it wastes a little water, but could prevent a pipe from freezing & bursting! If your pipes do freeze, first shut off the water and call a plumber to repair the damage. If the frozen pipe hasn’t burst, you can try to warm the pipe with a hair dryer. Begin nearest the drain and work your way down. Never use an open flame to defrost the pipe!
Snow that melts can sometimes seep into your home, so
shovel snow away from your foundation and out of stairwells & window
wells. Melting snow can also overwhelm
sewer systems & backup into your home, so check to make sure your homeowner
policy includes coverage for water backup – it may be included or added for a
small additional premium.
Finally, cold weather means heating your home. Be sure to have your fireplace & chimney
inspected annually as well as your furnace.
And install carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home and
replace them as the manufacturer suggests (usually every 10 years). Carbon monoxide poisoning can be deadly, and
may seem like flu symptoms, so if you suspect CO2, leave your home
immediately!
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