Beat The Cold-Winterize Your Home

Frosty winter days are great for sipping hot chocolate by a warm fire place- not for fixing burst water pipes. Before winter kicks into full gear, help keep winter weather from damaging your home by preparing for the cold months ahead.

Help eliminate some of the problems that winter weather can cause to your home by using these tips. A little preparation now could save a lot of time and money later.

Winterize Your Home

By draining your outdoor hose bibs, and by keeping your heat on even when you’re away from home, you can prevent water pipes from cracking and spilling gallons of water all over your home.

Stop your pipes from freezing, which will cause all sorts of other problems, by keeping the temperature inside the home at least 65 degrees. A temperature lower than 65 degrees may not keep the pipes from freezing.

* If you have older windows consider upgrading to newer more energy efficient ones. New windows add to the value of your home and generally pay for themselves over time by reducing energy costs. At the very least winterize your old windows by caulking gaps, adding weather stripping, and installing storm windows.

Have your heating ducts cleaned every five years.

Make sure your roof is intact, no loose shingles. Also, clean gutters and trim overhanging tree limbs. Check your heating system and fireplace.

Make sure your furnace is in good working order and clean your chimney and fireplace.

Be sure to replace the furnace filter if it is dirty.

Check the thermostat and pilot light to see if they are working properly.

Have a professional check your home for structural damage. Extremely cold weather can sometimes turn Your home’s small problems into major issues during the winter months.

Basic home insurance policies don’t offer flood insurance. If you have a basement consider purchasing a sump pump. If the snow melts quickly in the spring it could help prevent flooding.

Reassess Your Home Insurance.

Basic home insurance covers four things: the structure of your home, your personal belongings, liability and living expenses. The type of plan you have, and how much insurance you purchase, determines to what degree you’re covered. Take a look at your home insurance policy now and make sure you have enough coverage.

You could actually save money by spending a little more on home insurance if any winter-related damages occur.