7 Essential Winter Tips For Your Home
As cold weather looms, my thoughts turn to help protecting homes and individuals from the sometimes harmful effects of winter. The winter season can potentially cause costly damage to homes due to bursting pipes, frozen rain gutters and other weather-related disasters. Here are some tips to help you be aware of common winter-related problems so that you can take the appropriate preventative measures and ensure a safe and comfortable season.
1. Rain Gutter Maintenance
Rain gutters can be a surprising source of winter-related damage to homes. When gutters become clogged, “ice damming” can occur. This condition prevents water from draining properly through the gutter, causing it to seep into the house and eventually drip from the ceilings and walls. To prevent this problem
remove leaves, dirt, branches and other debris from gutters to allow ice and snow to flow down and away from the house. An added precaution is to place screens over the gutters, which will prevent the build-up of debris from obstructing the flow of water. Gutter screens are available at most home improvement stores.
2. Insulation Protection
While proper insulation is critical to keeping a house warm and lowering home heating costs, it can also help protect your home. If too much heat escapes the interior of the house, the warm air can cause snow or ice to melt on the roof. As this process is repeated and the melted snow or ice refreezes, the buildup of ice can result in excess weight and could potentially compromise the roof. Ideally,
the attic should only be 5 to 10 degrees warmer than the outside air.
3. Plumbing Fundamentals
Severe cold weather can wreak havoc on a home’s plumbing. To help prevent pipes from cracking, wrap exposed pipes with heating tape or pipe insulation before the onset of freezing temperatures. It's very important to know where their master water shut-off valve is located to be able to immediately turn the water supply off in the unfortunate event that a pipe does burst. If you notice that a pipe under a sink is beginning to freeze, try to thaw it out as soon as possible to prevent additional damage. This can be done by warming the pipe near the faucet using a hair dryer, heat lamp or heating cable, and slowly working toward the source. Never use a blowtorch, and be sure not to put any hair dryer lamp or electrical appliance or object within 6 feet of water.
4. Fireplace Smarts
Although fireplaces can provide warmth on a cold winter’s night, they could also be a source of danger. Before lighting the first match of the season,
schedule a yearly inspection of your fireplace to ensure no repairs are needed, that it is free of excess soot buildup and is properly insulated. Use only properly dried wood and approved fire logs in the fireplace because most residential chimneys are not equipped to handle the intense heat that results when paper and other highly flammable materials are burned. The extremely hot temperatures generated by these materials could cause a damaging chimney fire.
5. Furnace/Space Heater Safety
D uring cold months, people often rely on furnaces and space heaters to keep warm. However, several precautions should be taken to avoid fires or other problems. First and foremost, have your furnace(s) tuned-up and inspected at the beginning of the season by a qualified heating and air conditioning company. By checking for leaks or broken parts and making necessary repairs, a NATE-certified technician can prevent potential problems before the furnace is fired up for the first time. If using a space heater to warm a room, make sure it has been approved by a certified testing organization. Space heaters should be kept at least three feet away from flammable objects, such as furniture, curtains, rugs or clothing, to prevent fires. In addition, children should be carefully monitored when near space heaters.
6. Fire Escape Preparedness
With an increase in fires during the winter months, families need to be prepared in case a fire does begin in the home. Every house should have smoke detectors, and have them inspected regularly to ensure they are in working condition. In addition, homeowners should formulate a fire-escape plan and practice with the entire family to guarantee that all members of the household, especially small children know how to safely leave the home and meet together at a designated area outside.
7. Fall/Accident Prevention
Some of the most common injuries around the home are accidental falls, which are especially harmful to older individuals. During the winter months, when icy surfaces increase the risk of falling, take extra precaution to prevent these accidents. I recommend checking outdoor railings to make sure they are secure and sturdy. Outdoor steps should be inspected to ensure they are not broken or susceptible to collapsing under the weight of heavy snow or ice. Use de-icer or salt to prevent ice from forming.
In addition, use doormats at all entrances to the home to capture moisture and other residue that can cause individuals to slip when entering the home.
Just a few precautions will help your home be safer in the winter. If you would like your furnace inspection or tune-up now, it's simple to schedule your appointment.