During extreme cold weather and winter storms, staying warm and safe can be a challenge. Winter storms cause freezing temperatures, power failures, and impassable roads. Therefore, it is crucial to keep yourself and your family safe by preparing the house for the freezing winters.
Insulating Your Walls
A significant percentage of the home’s heat is lost through uninsulated walls. Therefore, this is one crucial task that you need to check in preparation for the freezing winter. If you live in an icy area, you can ensure that you build your home with cavity walls as they are ideal for wall insulation through bonded bead cavities. The method uses tiny beads that your contractor injects into the wall cavity. If your home has a solid wall, you can use external insulation. Others use internal dry lining.
Install A Smoke Detector
If you use a fireplace or wood stove to keep yourself warm during winter, you may need to install a smoke detector. Moreover, a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector will also come in handy around the area you will be heating. Ensure that you test these devices monthly and replace all batteries twice every year. Due to the risk of fire, you should also have a multipurpose, dry chemical fire extinguisher at home. Every winter season, you should get a professional to check your furnace system and vent to ensure that they are both in good working conditions. In cold countries such as Canada, people are always keeping up with their furnace maintenance because they know how it gets during the winter. For instance, many homeowners end up needing a new furnace installation in Ottawa, because they forget to check on their furnace before the winter storms. You should ensure that you get qualified technicians to install a functional furnace system.
Buy An Easy-To-Read Thermometer
If you live with an older adult (65 years and above), you should always have a thermometer at home. Ensure that you place the thermometer where everyone can see it. People’s ability to feel a temperature change may decrease as they age. Since the elderly are more susceptible to health complications caused by freezing temperatures, you should often check your home’s temperature during the cold season. Knowing the situation will help you handle it properly.
Create An Emergency Home Kit
Fill your cabinet box with working batteries, a flashlight, and a weather radio to help you know the situation outdoors. You can also fill another cabinet with non-perishable foods and sufficient water for the family for around two or three days. Also, consider gathering blankets, can openers, socks, a written list of phone contacts, and cash on hand in case the credit cards don’t work; an emergency home kit will keep you safe if there is an emergency situation.
Trim Tree Branches
During a winter storm, the last thing you want is the tree branches hanging on that mighty tree falling on your roof. Also, overhanging limbs may cause a lot of water to seep into your house cracks in the ceiling or sidings. That is why you want to make sure that you cut all tree limbs and branches around the home so that you don’t have to start looking for a technician once the damage is done. Staying in a house with a leaking roof is dangerous, especially during the freezing winter.
Inspect Your Roof
The best way to avoid having a leaky roof is to check it before the first snow hits. You should do a roof inspection that will help you spot all potential issues. If you are afraid of heights, you only need a pair of binoculars to help you do a thorough inspection. Check for cracked caulk and rust spots on the gutters. Ensure that your shingles are not buckling or curling. You should also check for missing and broken shingles. You can fix some roofing repairs yourself, but you should contact a roofing contractor if you are not comfortable.
Clear Gutters
A clogged gutter can prevent water from draining well, which may cause damage to your property. If you do not allow rain and melted ice to flow correctly, it will leak into the house and result in water damage. Before winter hits, do a thorough inspection of your gutter and clear all debris, including fallen leaves. Ensure that all the pipes are clear.
Conclusion
It’s necessary to prepare for winter to avoid a situation where you and your family are caught in freezing temperatures. To prepare for the cold weather, you must take some time to dome home maintenance, including checking the gutters, inspecting the roof, trimming tree branches, among others. This way, you will be comfortable and go through winter comfortably. Now, Are You Ready for Freezing Winters?
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