Winter is just around the corner, as hard as it is to think about that, and your home could be at risk of a collapsed roof, pricey heating bills, and cracked sidewalks if you aren’t prepared before the cold weather hits and the snow starts to fall. Many people don’t think much about winterizing their homes, unless they live in a mobile (manufactured) home or travel for the winters leaving their home empty.
Even if you’re in your home, and it’s a normal house or apartment, it can still be wise to winterize ahead of time. While some of these items won’t be fitting to apartment dwellers, it is important for all of you to ensure your pipes are protected in extremely cold temperatures, and if you do live in a house you want to consider the impact of heavy snows on your rooftop.
Roof Collapse Under Snow
If you have a weak roofing structure you may end up with a collapsed roof if you get heavy snows in your area. This is especially common when there is a rain sleet mix that forms heavy layers of ice in between the snow. Not only do you risk roof collapses on your house, but also garages and sheds. It makes sense to have the stability of your roof checked before winter arrives, and to have a snow removal device for your roof.
A collapsing roof isn’t your only worry though, when it comes to snow and winter. Make sure you don’t have any missing or lifted shingles. If you do, when spring thaw comes you may find you have some roof leaks.
When To Use Salt
If it’s fifteen degrees fahrenheit or below, salting your sidewalks isn’t going to do much. What does manage to melt will quickly refreeze leaving you a skating rink to walk on, which would be dangerous to you and guests. You may also want to put some concern into what type of salt you buy for your sidewalks and porch.
Some types of rock salt can be bad for wood decks and patios. And, if you have pets that frequent the outdoors, you want a product that is safe for their bellies and their toes, since animals tend to eat things they aren’t supposed to.
Sealing Up Your Windows
Cold winds blowing in your home aren’t just a problem because they make you need to add layers to your wardrobe or cuddle up in a blanket. What they do most is wrack up your electric or heating bill (or both, if you find yourself supplementing with an electric heater). Make sure that your windows, and your doors, are draft free before winter strikes.
Protecting Pipes
Lastly, unless you want a costly plumbing bills or want to be spending thousands to dig up your yard and replace frozen and burst pipes, make sure you are using heat tape to insulate all of your home’s piping in critical areas to prevent freezing.