From warm blankets and hot cocoa, there are many seasonal delights we get to enjoy when the weather turns. But as Jack Frost nips the air, causing the mercury to plummet to finger-numbing sub-zero temperatures, there is no place like home to keep cozy and warm as fall and winter weather outside turns frightful. The cooler months are here, and that severe winter weather can wreck havoc on our homes. From frozen and burst pipes, ice dams, and power outages, there are plenty of risks that homeowners need to prepare for. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of our top tips to help make your home safe against the winter chill, from reviewing your homeowners insurance in Wellesley, MA to preventing ice dams.
Preparing Your Home for Winter Weather
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- Prevent water damage
A great way to prevent water damage is to install a whole-house generator that will keep your critical electrical and heating/cooling systems operating in your home during a power outage. Since power outages cause frozen and burst pipes, it is a good idea to keep your systems up and running at all times. Also, you can install smart thermostats that enable you to monitor the temperature of your home while you are away. If the temperature drops, the thermostat can alert you so action can be taken. Lastly, consider insulation. Add insulation sleeves to exposed and exterior pipes to prevent them from freezing, splitting, and then flooding the space once the water defrosts.
- Monitor ice dams on roofs
Ice dams are formed by layers of snow and ice gradually building up in the eaves of your roof or guttering. This build-up of snow and ice then backs up and prevents the natural downwards flow of water off the roof. It is this damming that then causes the water to run down the interior wall surfaces. What’s more, a consistent increase of snow on a roof can lead to potential structural damage, as well as leaks or water damage in your home. Sturdiness and slope are all variable and can react differently in adverse winter weather conditions. After a snowstorm – and only when it is safe to do so – you can use a long-handled rake to remove the snow from your roof. Ensure that downspouts and gutters are clear of snow and debris to prevent blockages and, eventually, flooding.
- Inspect the exterior
Take a moment to walk around the exterior of your property. Clear away any leaves and branches from your drain pipes before the winter arrives. Safely trim branches that are hanging over your house and repair any damaged guttering now. Your roof should be inspected annually, and it’s wise to do this before the cooler weather sets in.
- Clear pathways and property entrances
After a storm, it’s vital that you remove snow and ice from walkways and parking lots if you are a business owner. Use rock salt or grit to prevent slips and trips. When guests come to visit or customers visit your business, you should feel confident that they can enter and leave the property safely.
- Review homeowners insurance
Your home insurance is there to step in to help when the unexpected occurs. Throughout winter, you may need to rely on your homeowners insurance if there are storms that damage your property. Take a moment to review your current policy and ensure you have the optimum coverage in place.
We hope that these tips help you to protect your property over winter. In any case, having the right homeowners insurance can help if the worst happens. When you’re ready to secure the right home protection, contact the team at CAV Insurance, serving Wellesley, Weston, and neighboring cities in Massachusetts.