PROTECT YOUR HOME Prepare for Winter’s Wrath
That line from “Game of Thrones” is again true: “Winter is coming.” With it, you may face a deluge of snow, cold weather, rain, and obnoxious Christmas music. We cannot help with the last one, but the rest are good reasons to prepare your home for the elements. Here are four steps to solve a few pressing issues this time of year! Prevent Frozen Pipes When temperatures drop below freezing, uninsulated pipes are at risk of freezing and bursting. According to RubyHome, around 29.4% of home insurance claims were due to water damage and freezing in 2024. To top it all off, according to AAA Insurance, the average frozen pipe claim can run more than $11,000. The good news is that you can take simple, pragmatic steps to reduce the risk of frozen pipes in your home. Keeping your home thermostat at a regular temperature, even when you are out, helps mitigate the risk. A more effective solution, however, is to upgrade existing pipes with extra pipe insulation. Pipe insulation is effective and inexpensive, so you can keep your pipes safe without breaking the bank. If a room needs extra heat, space heaters can help seal the deal. Keeping every room in your house above 55 degrees is a good starting point for ensuring you do not suffer water damage this winter. Check Your Attic You probably do not spend much time in your attic unless you are a ghost or a bat. However, ensuring the insulation up there can keep heat from escaping during the winter months is essential. Heat rises, after all, and if that heat is dissipating through poorly insulated attic walls, that could be a serious and chilly problem. Turn Off Your Sprinklers This is a simple measure, but it’s easily overlooked. Remember to turn off your sprinklers come winter before temperatures reach below freezing. Otherwise, a front yard and driveway covered in ice
will remind you of the problem. Another important step is to drain your garden hose to help prevent the water inside from freezing and bursting the hose. Inspection Season It may seem like overkill, but if it’s been a while, have critical elements of your home inspected; it’s a great way to discover weak points and structural damage that can be repaired in time for winter. A roof inspection can be a proactive and safe move to shore up your home from the elements. The inspection can identify damage and possible leakage points that may cause interior water damage in snow or severe rain. The cost of any repairs will be well worth the money you will save on water damage repairs. While you are at it, have your chimney cleaned and inspected to reduce the risk of fire and flooding. Lastly, make sure your furnace or heater is up to the task. Inspecting your home’s heating system will detect any possible issues before they pose a serious risk. The last thing you want is to lose your heat in the middle of a winter storm.
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