Winter is just around the corner, and you know what that means—warm days by the fire with a mug of hot chocolate, an adventurous day on the slopes, or maybe even snowshoeing on one of your favorite hiking trails. Before you start enjoying all your favorite winter activities, let’s get your house in order and ready for any potential storms. You may not know where to start, and that’s okay! We’ll be discussing five ways to prepare your home for winter storms to keep yourself and your loved ones safe this winter season.
Insulate Your Home
Insulation is key! You’ll need to ensure that your insulation should be R38, or follow your municipal codes, as poor insulation can drastically raise your gas bill. Did you know that you can lose up to 25% of your hot air before it even reaches your vents? For that reason, you’ll also want to insulate your heat ducts.
Make sure that any water lines along the exterior walls of your home are insulated as well. Insulating these lines will help keep your water supply from freezing. Other tips to keep your pipes from freezing include leaving your kitchen sink cabinets open to the warm air and letting your faucets drip throughout the night.
Caulk and Weatherstrip Doors and Windows
To save energy and stay warm this winter, make sure to caulk and seal drafts and cracks around your home. Start by applying new weatherstripping to windows and doors around the house and garage. The weatherstripping will keep cold air from getting in and your furnace from working even harder than it already is. If the weatherstripping isn’t enough, caulk the minor cracks to prevent moisture damage. You may also want to consider replacing badly damaged windows or doors that keep you protected from winter storms.
Protect Your Roof
Before winter arrives, you’ll want to take every step possible to make sure your roof is in working order. Fix any leaks you may have, replace missing shingles, add ventilation, and cut away tree branches that could fall and damage your roof during a winter storm. You’ll want to look for any tree branches, dead or dying, that are too close to your home. You may also want to trim overgrown bushes and shrubs as well.
Once the snow has arrived, regularly remove as much snow from your roof as possible. Of course, it’ll be difficult to get it all, but try your best to ensure that all the snow doesn’t accumulate more in one spot. All that pressure may cause part of your roof to cave in.
Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
If, at any point, you believe you’ll be using a fireplace, wood stove, or kerosene heater, make sure that all your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order. You’ll want to have one of each on every level of your home. Accidental carbon monoxide poisoning from alternative heat and cooling devices occurs every year. Remember to get your chimney and furnace inspected to ensure they are safe to use and properly working. It’s also essential that all fuel-burning equipment (fireplaces, generators, camp stoves, and gas and charcoal grills) should be outdoors or vented to the outdoors.
Create A Plan for Storm Damage
Having a plan will ensure that any damage to your property will be taken care of efficiently. Common types of winter storm damage include flooding, fires, and roof leaks. Document any losses for insurance claims. Take photos of all the damage before any restoration work has started, as these photos are essential for the insurance claim process. Once you’ve contacted your insurance company and an adjuster comes to document the damage, you can remove property from the damaged areas. This removal will help minimize any further damage caused by unstable debris and leaves room for a storm restoration company to come in and fix what’s been damaged. Whether it’s your roof, gutter system, masonry, or a combination of those, find a company that can fix it all. Once this restoration process begins, you’ll want to hold onto all the paperwork that encompasses the entire process. Put it all in a file for safekeeping.
Prepare for Winter with Ferguson Roofing Co.
Ferguson Roofing Co. is here for all your residential roofing and outdoor home maintenance needs. Not only can we help you prepare your roof for this coming winter, but we also offer services regarding your gutters, siding, and decks. Don’t let a winter storm catch you off guard. Call Ferguson Roofing Co. today at (314) 521-6917 or contact us through email at connect@fergusonroofing.com.