If you're living in an area that is prone to winter storms between January and March, or you're getting freak snowstorms this year, then you probably already know the basics. You know how to buy snow shovels, stock up on non-perishable food, and you know you need a generator in the event of a power outage. There's every chance that you've even upgraded this year to a battery powered snow blower. However, even if you're well fed, toasty, and you have the snow shoveled, it can still wreak havoc on your home. From plumbing issues to safety risks, you need to know how to prepare your home for a snowstorm so that you are ready in any eventuality. Let's take a look at our top tips for prepping your house for a snowstorm.
1. Check on the roof. But instead of shimmying up a ladder, call a professional. If you want to make sure that you are prepared for a snowstorm, you have to make sure your roof can withstand the snow. Are there water stains in your attic? Any curling or broken shingles around? Is the caulking pulling from the brick or the wood outside? These are all things you can look for inside, but ask a professional to go up a ladder and check for actual missing shingles. Leaks can cause many issues, so make sure that you hire a professional if you notice any of those red flags.
2. Prevent any ice dams. Snow melts on the roof, running through the gutters to the ground. Well, that's what's supposed to happen in an ideal scenario. But when the temperature outside is very low and your attic is warm, the gutters and the edge of your roof can stay below freezing. When the melted snow gets to the gutters, it can freeze. This creates an ice dam. If you make sure that your attic is well insulated, you can prevent this.
3. Cut back those trees. One of the biggest but little known hazards with blizzards is down to treating big snapped branches or trees that are leaning sideways that can fall onto your house, your car or your windows is a big hazard. It can happen from strong winds or limbs unable to stay in the weight of the snow and the ice. If you currently have trees on your property that have larger limbs hanging down over your garage or your roof, you need to get it scheduled for removal by an arborist. You want to cut back those trees so that there is nothing hanging over your property that could cause damage if it decided to break.
4. Get your pipes ready. While you're thinking about gutters and freezing waters, think about your pipes. The freezing temperatures are often exacerbated by snowstorms inducing power outages. This can cause pipes to freeze and burst, but there are so many simple ways that you can prevent this. You should make sure that your pipes are properly insulated. You can do this with pipe sleeves or even wrapping your pipes in insulation tape to keep them warm and keep the water from freezing. It's nice to have cold faucet water, but you don't want ice blocking your faucet. You should also open any cabinet doors where piping is present, especially if those pipes are next to an outside wall. This will allow the home's heat to wrap around the pipe itself.
5. Don't forget your outdoor pipes. While we're on the topic, you need to make sure that the host spigots outside are covered and insulated. Before you shut off the water, you should drain the water lines that feed it. Winterizing your exterior sprinkler systems can also help, and draining out the pipes will also ensure you don't have to worry about cracked pipes through the winter months.
6. Protect your yard. It's important to store any loose furniture or objects like decorations or patio furniture or even kids' toys. When you store these items, you won't have to worry about them being weighed down by snow or being blown away in a storm. If there are any outdoor items like hoses or lawn appliances, these should also be stored away and put under protective covering to prevent them from freezing.
7. Trap the heat where it's supposed to stay. Snowstorms will often come with power outages and you need to trap as much heat as inside as possible if this potentially happens. If you lose your power, you can lose your heating, and that's the last thing you want to lose when it's freezing outside. Closing your blinds and your curtains and stuffing towels and rags under the doors to prevent cold air from flying through will help to keep that coziness inside. Ensure the door remains closed to preserve any heat in rooms that you're not using, too.
8. Make sure you have a backup generator. In the extreme winter storms, power can go out for days and in some cases even weeks, especially if you're rural. You want to make sure that you have an alternate heat source where possible, and that means you may need to have a powerful backup generator. Running your generator outdoors to prevent powerful fumes from circulating around your home will prevent anybody from suffocating. Always use caution when you do operate a generator and make sure that your kids and pets stay away from it.
Keeping your home prepared for a snowstorm will help you all to feel more comfortable and confident that you can make it through the winter to the beautiful spring ahead.
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