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Ten Steps for Winter Home Prep

By December 21, 2020February 17th, 2022No Comments
Frozen Pipes

Ten Steps for Winter Home Prep

These quick fixes will save you time and money this winter!

Leaves are falling and school is starting. Before you know it you’ll be watching the snow float down outside from the warm sofa in your living room. You’ll admire the children building snowmen. You’ll get out your holiday cookie recipes.

This beautiful winter wonderland sounds nice, but first, you have some housekeeping items to take care of this Fall. After all, the last thing you want is a leaky roof or bursting pipes when you’re drinking hot cocoa by the fireplace!

  1. Clean gutters – Remove leaves, acorns, sticks and other debris from gutters so melting snow and ice can flow freely. This can prevent “ice damming“- a condition where water is unable to properly drain through the gutters and instead seeps into the house causing water to drip from the ceiling and walls.
  2. Trim trees and remove dead branches – Ice, snow and wind can cause weak trees or branches to break, damaging your home, car or injuring someone walking on your property.
  3. Check insulation – Add extra insulation to attics, basements and crawl spaces. If too much heat escapes through the attic it can cause snow or ice to melt on the roof, which is another cause of ice damming or roof collapse.
  4. Maintain pipes – Wrap pipes with heating tape and insulate unfinished rooms such as garages that frequently have exposed pipes. Also, check for cracks and leaks.
  5. Keep the house warm – The temperature in your house should be at least 65 degrees. A temperature lower than 65 degrees will not keep the pipes from freezing.
  6. Check heating systems 
    Have furnaces, boilers and chimneys serviced at least once a year. Make sure that smoke and fire alarms are working properly and consider installing a carbon dioxide detector.
  7. Maintain steps and handrails
    Broken stairs and banisters can become lethal when covered with snow and ice. Make repairs now to prevent someone from falling and seriously being injured.
  8. Get to know your plumbing – Learn how to shut the water off and know where your pipes are located. If your pipes freeze, time is of the essence. The quicker you can shut off the water or direct your plumber to the problem, the better chance you have to prevent the pipes from bursting.
  9. Hire a licensed contractor – Have a professional survey your home for any structural damage. If damage is discovered, have it repaired immediately so further damage will not occur during the winter.
  10. Plan for being away – If you are not going to be in your home this winter for an extended period of time, have the water system drained by a professional to keep pipes from freezing or bursting. Also, have someone check on your home on a regular basis. If there is a problem, it can be fixed quickly, thus lessening any damage.

 

Don’t forget to review your homeowners insurance policy with your independent agent! Discuss your coverage for damage from freezing pipes bursting. Talk about what happens if ice in your gutters causes water to back up under your roof shingles and into your house. Not pleasant topics – but making sure you have the right insurance coverage can save you time, money and stress if something happens this winter.

Content courtesy of our partners at www.stateauto.com

 


Contact Your AFS Agent Today for More Info, Questions, and Concerns!

AFS Insurance & Financial Services
11001 Anthony Highway, Waynesboro PA 17268
717-762-5780 or email@afsmainstreet.com

 

Have a Safe & Happy Winter!

 

This material is for general informational purposes only. All statements are subject to the terms, exclusions and conditions of the applicable policy. In all instances, current policy contract language prevails. Products, services and discounts referenced herein are not available in all states or in all underwriting companies. Coverage is subject to individual policyholders meeting our underwriting qualifications and state availability.

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