By Emily Miller
Cold weather has recently sweep across the entire United States, leaving people stranded far from home, cars in need of repair and homeowners facing consequences due to under preparedness.
Fortunately, it’s not too late to keep your home safe and warm for this remaining winter season.
“When a cold snap hits, the last thing homeowners needs is the wordy of a broken furnace or frozen pipes,” said Sandra Finn, president of TotalProtect. “In 2012, the National Weather Service reported $15.6 million in property damages during extreme cold temperatures. That is 181 percent more than during hot months. Peace of mind is a powerful thing and a little upfront preparation can mean the difference between a stress-free or stress-filled water.”
By taking precautionary steps, you can avoid any unnecessary or expensive insurance claims to help repair the damages caused by the weather.
Here are some tips to protect your home for the remaining part of the winter season:
Stock up on Emergency Supplies
Before winter approaches and throughout the entire season, make sure you have an adequate supply of the following items:
· Snow removal equipment (snow shovel, snow blower, etc.)
· Proper winter appeal and warm blankets
· Sand to help improve traction
· Salt to melt ice on driveways and walkways
· Dry, seasonal wood incase the power goes off
· Supply of non-perishable good incase you are snowed in
Tune up the Furnace
Routinely fire up the furnace to ensure that it is working properly, preferably before a snowstorm hits. If a problem occurs, contact a licensed heating contractor immediately before the condition worsens.
Portable or Stationary Heaters
Space heaters are an effective way to heat up a specific room without heating the entire house, which can lower your heating bill. Always plug your space heater directly into an outlet, not into an extension cord or power strip. Also, keep flammable items at least three feet away and make sure to turn off the device when go to sleep or leave the room.
Thermostat Temperature
It is advisable to keep the inside temperature at least 55 F during harsh weather conditions. As the outside drops, you should adjust your thermostat accordingly. Heating bills may be higher, but it will be less expensive than repairing a busted pipe. Also keeping your drapes and blinds closed at night can reduce heat loss while opening them during the day can allow natural sunlight to warm up your house.
Plumbing Concerns
Frozen pipes are a common concern during the winter season. The tips provided below can help prevent pipes from freezing, what to do when it happens and what to expect when they thaw out.
· Leave doors open below sinks to allow warm air to reach the pipes, especially a sink that is located against an exterior wall
· Keeping a small stream of lukewarm water can also prevent pipes from freezing
· If pipes freeze, use a hair dryer to help unthaw them (never a torch or open flame)
· Once a pipe has unfrozen, it may leak. If this happens, you’ll likely need a plumber to repair the damages
