Here are a few tips that will help you protect your house during a snowstorm so that you can focus on enjoying the holidays with family and friends.
Check Windows, Doors, and Fireplace
Did you know that the biggest source of heat loss is through doors and windows? It makes sense since these are the biggest entries and exits to the home. But when the weather drops, you’ve got to make it a point to seal up those cracks and leaks. There are a few ways to you test for leaks and seal them up.
To identify leaks, you can walk throughout your home and use a candle to see if air leaks around doors, windows, electrical outlets, etc. If the candle flame is moving, it could indicate a leak. Make sure the airflow isn’t due to an air vent nearby.
To correct some of these leaks, try the following fixes:
• Add plastic film to drafty windows and fireplaces. Use these window insulation kits or bubble wrap on your windows.
• Add socket sealers around drafty electrical sockets.
• Add a draft stopper or weather stripping around the bottoms of doors.
• Caulk around any areas where the caulk is old, rotten, or missing.
Buy a Good Snow Blower
You don’t want to feel helpless in a snowstorm. Shoveling your driveway is a big job and can be harmful to some people. You should think about investing in a snow blower and your driveway will be ready for any amount of snow!
You may be wondering if you need a snow blower for light, powdery snow (3″ to 9″ of snow for a single-stage), a two-stage for deep, heavy snow, or a super-powerful quick three-stage snow blower. It is best to always buy a snow blower with more power.
We rarely get a foot of snow, so you could do well with a single-stage snow blower. But occasionally, that unexpected 12″+ will fall, and you want to be able to remove the snow quickly and efficiently.
Remove Outdoor Hoses and Drain the Pipes
Did you know that damage from frozen and broken water pipes ranks second in home damage, only behind hurricanes? That is surprising! They report that an average of 250,000 homes each year have damage to their homes due to frozen and broken pipes.
Many newer homes have hose bibbs (outdoor faucets) that prevent freezing. However, you will need to remove any hose attached and put it away until spring.
Once the hose is removed, you can drain the outdoor pipes. Turn off your water main. Then open the hose bibbs (faucets) on the outside of your home and let them drain thoroughly. Close the hose bibbs and turn the water main back on.
Trim Your Tree Branches
Trees are great and provide oxygen and we need trees to suck up the carbon dioxide that we’re spewing into the environment. To think of cutting a tree or a limb never feels right. Unless that tree or limb could cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home in the event of a snow or ice storm!
Tree branches could become lethal when weighed down with ice. Do any of the trees look weak, dead, or dying and could become fragile when pounds of pressure from ice or snow are added? If so, trim them. Are any branches hanging over your roof or gutters? If they fall, could they damage the roof or pull off a gutter?
Make Winter Magical Again
A lot can go wrong in the winter. But if you’re prepared, have the right tools, and know what to do to prevent bigger problems, winter can be magical again!
By checking your windows, doors, and fireplace for air leakage, you could save lots of money on your heating bill this winter. Some repairs are too large for homeowners and they need a professional service for repairs. If you are looking for a construction company for home repairs or home remodeling, contact Albrite Building today at 630.655.9436. We are located at 777 Oakmont Lane, Suite #50, Westmont, Illinois.