Roof Rakes
According to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IIBHS), an average roof can handle up to four feet of fresh snow before it’s stressed. However, as snow packs down from multiple storms, anything more than two feet of packed snow could cause a roof collapse!
If you expect a lot of snow this winter, invest in a roof rake. It can help you easily clear snow off your roof and protect your home during those blizzard months.
Prune Trees
If there are long tree branches hanging near your house, your roof, or your gutters, prune them before it gets too cold. Branches broken from heavy snow and ice can cause all kinds of damage to your home. A few hours with the pruner now could save you thousands of dollars in damages later this winter.
Protecting Pipes From Freezing
According to the IIBHS, a burst pipe can cause more than $5,000 in water damage! Thankfully, you can do something to protect your pipes from freezing in bitter cold weather. Don’t turn the heat down too much when you’re out of the house. You may not be there to enjoy it, but your pipes need the heat to prevent freezing.
Let faucets drip during serious cold snaps to provide relief for your pipes.
Give your home a once over for any exposed or vulnerable piping, and wrap them with insulation. Hardware stores usually carry foam rubber or fiberglass sleeves for pipes, which are easy to install. Caulk up cracks or holes in your walls to keep cold air away from pipes. This might not be practical for the average homeowner, so speak to a trusted contractor.
If your pipes do freeze, and water stops flowing from faucets, call a plumber immediately! Following this checklist can better prepare you for the trials and tribulations of winter. However, sometimes seasons throw us curveballs we simply can’t plan for. That’s why it’s important to cover your home with homeowners insurance, limits, and options that work for you, and insure against damages.
