
With winter in its very early stages, you should waste no time in preparing your home for the unforgiving cold climate.
The winter snows can make for a beautiful Bob Ross painting, and make even the most amateur photographer look (semi) professional. But the winter conditions can be devastating to your home if you do not adequately prepare for them. Luckily, all damages can be prevented if you take certain steps in assuring the safety of your home during the winter. Here are a few tips on how you can prepare your home for the winter before the damage occurs.
- Maintain Your Heater
You can hire a technician to inspect your furnace or heat pump to make sure the system is clean and will work when it needs to. The inspection should also measure any carbon monoxide leakage. - Prevent Ice Dams
While icicles hanging from your house look cool, it’s a sign your home is not properly insulated. The warm air leaks from your house, melts the snow, and then the water refreezes in a stalactite-like structure. A weatherization contractor can identify and fix these leaks. - Caulk the Windows and Doors
If the gaps between the window frame and siding are wider than a nickel, you need to reapply the exterior caulk to prevent any leakage. Silicone caulk is best for the outdoors because it won’t shrink and is impervious to the winter elements. - Turn Off Exterior Faucets
Water is one of the few molecules that expands when it freezes. This means that if you have water in your pipes, the water may freeze, expand, and burst your pipes wide open.
These winterizing tips don’t mean much without the proper home insurance. For help acquiring the right homeowners insurance, contact the independent insurance professionals at Risk Management LLC in Brookfield, Wisconsin.