Winter is fast approaching, and you should be carefully looking at what preparations you can do to ensure that your home remains safe for everyone in your family. Here are some tips:
Prepare Your Pipes for Winter
During winter, your exterior pipes can freeze and break due to water outside. You can prevent this from happening by detaching all your garden hoses and draining the remaining water in exterior spigots and your sprinkler system. You may also consider leaving your exterior faucets dripping if temperatures begin dropping at night to avoid pressure buildup that causes pipes to burst. Prepare your pipes for winter by insulating them properly by using foam, heating cables, or pipe sleeves to make sure you seal any cracks and make your lines stay warm.
Check Your Roofing System
Your roofing system will be your first defense against the cold season. You should check your roof for any problems before the winter season. You will have enough time to make the repairs, buy the materials, and re-inspect your roof to prevent massive snow issues. Find out if there are loose, missing, or damaged shingles, which may cause leaks when the snow melts. Your chimneys and vent stacks should also be clean and flowing.
You should also keep your roof clean, especially your gutters. Remove any dirt, sand, and leaves that cause blockage and hold moisture during winter. It is also essential to check on your homeowner’s insurance coverage for water damage, roof repair, and other risks connected with bad weather.
Get Ready for Power Shortages
Power shortages can sometimes happen during heavy snow and ice. In preparation for this event, you may consider investing in a two-way radio to keep track of news about power shortages. There are radio units that use solar power, hand cranks, or batteries. There are also cell phone chargers that use hand cranks or solar power technology to stay connected with friends, neighbors, and family until the storm is away.
It’s useful to know that the risk for carbon monoxide poisoning increases during winter. Carbon monoxide emissions can come from warming your vehicle inside your garage, using your gas range to heat your home, and insufficient ventilation during the use of gas-powered appliances such as a generator. Symptoms from carbon monoxide poisoning are dizziness, fatigue, and nausea. You can prevent this from happening by installing a carbon monoxide detector in your house.
Fix Defective Outdoor Lighting
During winter, the days are shorter, meaning you spend more time in the dark. You should conduct outdoor lighting maintenance before the winter season. Repair your lighting fixture by hiring a professional. Electrical works are dangerous if not properly addressed. Make sure that all your lights are working for extra light during the winter season.
If you live in Texas, where snow can be an unusual occurrence, providing ample outdoor lighting can also help you prevent potential issues. Slippery floors and dark frontage can cause personal injury to visitors or passers-by, requiring you to visit Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C. in San Antonio.
Do Not Allow Icicles and Ice Dams
Icicles and ice dams pose the risk for injury when neglected. Ice dams can cause damage to your home due to water seepage when the ice melts away. You may ask a professional to locate and rectify any potential problems that would create ice dams and icicles. They can be dangerous if you try to do it yourself.
Protect Your Home
The cold weather and long nights during the winter season is no joke. You cannot prevent it from happening, but you can avoid destroying your house and keeping your home safe with these winter safety tips.
