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Protect your home from winter’s
worst
Few homeowners who survived the cold, snow and ice of recent winters will ever forget
the slips and falls, expensive property damage, and sky-high utility bills. We can’t
always prevent unplanned triple lutzes on the ice, but we do have practical suggestions to
help you avoid damage to your home when winter’s winds and ice challenge us again.
Have your trees pruned. Heavy branches that overhang your (or your
neighbor’s) house should be removed—before nature does the job for you. Even
healthy limbs in crowns of big trees should be removed to reduce the crown’s weight,
enabling a tree to withstand the brunt of a storm. Of course, pruning is too risky for
do-it-yourselfers. Hire a professional and make sure he shows you a certificate of
insurance.
Prevent roof ice dams. When warm air rises from your comfy home and melts the
snow on your roof, ice dams can result. Water runs down the eaves into the gutters and
freezes. A dam forms, more snow melts, and water backs up under the shingles. You know
what happens next—water seeps into your house, inevitably soaking and damaging walls
and ceilings.
Don’t let it happen to you! Instead:
- Make sure your roof is solid. Replace broken or loose shingles. Secure flashing. Caulk
seams between the roof and house so water can’t seep in.
- Keep gutters clear all winter long.
- Upgrade roof insulation and attic vents. They must work as a system to prevent warm air
from melting snow on your roof.
- You may want to purchase a "roof rake" to help remove excess
snow from your roof.
Install backup power. With a generator, you can operate your refrigerator,
freezer, sump pump and lights the next time your electricity is interrupted. Check out the
cost. (Obviously, don’t run a generator indoors without adequate ventilation.)
Drain outside faucets. Turn off water at inside shut-off valves. Then open
faucets, drain and leave stems in open position.
Finally, do you have enough homeowners coverage to replace whatever winter might take
away? If you’re not sure, check with your independent insurance agent.
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