Winter time can be hard on your home, especially in some of the winter storms we get.
The damages could be extensive if there are things that needed repair and were too weak to withstand the elements.
Here are 6 of our winter home maintenance tips to make sure you are ready for the weather.
- Make sure your Gutters and Drain System are in good condition
Winter brings rain and snow so you want to make sure that your gutters are well maintained or replaced if they need to be. You don’t want damage to your roof due to a backed up gutter.
Check your basement if you have one to make sure you don’t have water damage stains and check your attic if you have one as well. Both mildew and water damage indicate that your drainage system isn’t taking the water far away enough from your house and needs to be fixed.
- Test Your Sump Pump
Sump pumps act as the last line of defense against condensation buildup, floods, and water from drains. Test the pump to make sure it works; otherwise, you could end up with a flooded basement and foundation damage.
Check your exit pipe for dirt/debris and clear any clogs that may be there.
- Clean Dryer Vent
Dryers can be a fire hazard, causing over 15,000 home fires a year so it is important to make sure you are reducing the risk of this happening in your home.
Make sure your link trap is cleaned out regularly and your lint filter is emptied after each load. Also don’t leave your dryer running when no one is home.
- Seal Leaky Doors and Windows
Do you notice gaps when you lock your door or cold air coming in around your windows? This means your seal is not doing what it should be and needs to be replaced or updated.
If a draft comes through the bottom of your door you can install a weather-resistant door sweep designed for exterior doors.
- Weatherproof Exterior Pipes
Freezing temperatures can cause serious problems for your outdoor pipes. Frozen pipes can crack, and once they thaw they can release hundreds of gallons of water in a single day. This can lead to a number of other problems you don’t want to have to deal with.
Turn off your external pipes for the winter and make sure they’re fully drained. Double check a few days later to ensure that all the water has fully drained.
You can also buy insulating tape to wrap around any exterior pipes.
- Prepare for Winter Storms
If you have a generator, test it to make sure it is working.
Keep a supply of fresh batteries handy for lanterns and flashlights in case of power outages and blackouts.
Keep a solar-powered or battery-operated radio in your home. If cellphone reception goes out, you can still keep up to date with the news and weather.
We hope this has helped to keep track of some of the important items you want to be sure are winterproofed.
If you do need us to help with any insurance claims you may need to submit, please don’t hesitate to call John Scott Insurance Agency first so we can walk you through the process and make sure that you are getting exactly the help you need.