How to Prepare Your Home for a Winter Storm

11/18/2020 (Permalink)

There’s nothing quite like a blizzard warning to send homeowners into panic mode. To avoid fear and frenzy, start preparing your home for severe weather conditions in the Fall. Follow these five tips and you’ll have peace of mind once a winter storm comes our way:

Trim back trees. Heavy snow can cause branches to snap and come crashing down on your home. Avoid a compromised roof by tending to your trees. Remove weak branches and those situated close enough to break a window in high winds. (If a branch cracks your window, weatherseal tape will provide a temporary seal.) Consider hiring a professional company to cut back limbs and remove sick or dying trees.

Protect your pipes. Frozen pipe bursts are one of the leading causes of property damage during winter months. To avoid a costly damage, protect your pipes from freezing conditions. Inspect pipes for visible damage such as rust or cracks and have them replaced if necessary. Protect exposed plumbing using foam pipe insulation. This cost-effective solution will guard against freezing air. You can promote warm air circulation to exterior areas of your home by leaving interior doors and cabinet’s open. Visit our blog article “Prevent Frozen Pipe Bursts” for more tips.

Use alternative sources of heat and power safely. If you plan on utilizing alternative heat sources during a power outage, it is important to have a carbon monoxide and smoke detector in your home. Combustible heat sources produce CO, which has no smell. It can cause drowsiness, loss of consciousness and death. All fuel-burning equipment must be used outside and kept away from windows. Avoid using a chimney if it has not been regularly cleaned, as this may present a fire risk.

Prepare for melting. After the storm subsides, rising temperatures quickly turn snow to water. This may put your home at risk for flooding. Elevate critical utilities, furniture and belongings to avoid potential damage. In the event of a power outage, a sump pump will be unable to drain floodwater. Consider keeping a battery-operated sump pump on standby.

Make a plan. While certain precautions may lower your risk of encountering unsafe conditions, not all emergencies are preventable. If your home is significantly damaged by winter weather, do not attempt to ride out the storm. Instead, seek a public designated shelter. To locate the nearest shelter, text “SHELTER” and your zip code to 43362, which is FEMA’s dedicated text line.

If your home is damaged by a storm, SERVPRO of Society Hill is available 24/7 to help. We provide emergency roof tarping and board ups to prevent further damage. Our professional restoration team has the tools and expertise to repair your home. We strive to make storm damage “Like it never even happened.”