Like it or not, summer is coming to an end and winter is right around the corner. Is your home prepared for the cold, ice and snow that is coming your way? These conditions can cause havoc on your home and cost thousands in damages. The good news is that winter disasters can be prevented! Here are some common winter troubles and how to prepare for them.
1. Frozen, or worse, Burst Pipes: This is probably one of the most common winter disasters and it is very preventable. More than 250,000 homes each year have water damage from burst pipes. The best way to prevent pipes from freezing is insulation. Any exposed pipes can be wrapped with foam insulation. Also, using spray foam insulation where pipes exit and enter the house will keep drafts down. One great product on the market right now is called RedyTemp. It is installed under your sink and will intermittently push warm water through your pipes during cold weather to keep pipes warm and prevent them from freezing. If all else fails, keeping your facets running just a trickle will keep water moving so they won’t freeze.
2. Roof Collapse: Some parts of the country have experienced record amounts of snowfall in the last few years which significantly increases the number of dangerous roof collapses due to heavy snow and ice on roofs. Don’t wait until you have so much snow on your roof that it becomes an emergency. The key to prevention is to be prepared. Contact a snow removal company this fall and get price quotes. Have them come by and review your roof so you know exactly when to call them in the event that snow accumulates on your roof. Do not try to remove the snow yourself. This is another disaster waiting to happen. You could fall off the roof or your own weight could be enough to make the roof collapse.
3. Broken Tree Branch Damage: Heavy snow and ice build-up on trees can become very dangerous. If the weight causes the tree limbs to snap they could fall on your house, car or worse, on a person on your property. You should make sure that all dead or weak branches are removed.
4. Ice Dams: Make sure that your gutters are cleaned this fall. If debris such as leaves or branches blocks your gutter system, roof water runoff cannot flow properly. When the cold weather hits, this water will freeze, causing ice dams. Ices dams can cause severe water damage as the water has nowhere to go. It will end up leaking into your home, ruining your ceilings and walls.
Karen Lawes is owner of CostOwl.com, a website providing average pricing information for home improvement projects.