Although there are certain parts of the country that don’t have to do much in terms of winterizing, Ohio is not one of those areas. If you live in or around Cincinnati, you already know from personal experience how cold it can get during this time of the year. In addition to taking steps to keep yourself and your loved ones warm throughout the winter, it’s also important to do certain things for your home. By knowing the right way to winterize your home, you can help prevent the type of extensive damage that can result from winter accidents like pipes freezing and bursting.
When it comes to residential damage caused by winter accidents, pipes, heating and roofs are the three most common causes. So here’s what you can do to winterize those elements of your home:
Pipes
One of the worst experiences a homeowner can have is discovering that a pipe has burst and is causing their home to rapidly fill with water. What’s even worse is if this occurs when someone is away on a holiday trip. Insulating your pipes is the best line of defense against this problem. During sudden temperature drops, you can discourage freezing by keeping your taps open just a little bit. Letting warm air circulate near pipes by keeping cabinet doors open is also useful. And if you’re going on a trip during the holiday season, it’s best to turn off your home’s water supply while you’re away.
Heating
If you’ve already been running your furnace for a bit but haven’t changed the filters since last season, it’s still worth replacing them now. You’ll also want to check the surrounding ductwork for debris, along with looking up your chimney for any signs or blockage or buildup. On the efficiency side, taking time to find and insulate any leaks around areas like doors can help a lot. You can also reduce your energy usage by keeping the temperature lower when everyone is gone during the day.
Roof
While fall is the best time to clean out your gutters, it’s not too late to benefit from completing this task. The reason clear gutters are so important is they will reduce the likelihood of water backing up or pooling around your home and then causing freezing that leads to damage.
Following the advice we covered above for your pipes, heating and roof will go a long way towards keeping your home safe from damage this winter. However, there’s still always the chance of something unexpected occurring. That’s why it’s so important to have home insurance. If you are unhappy with your current policy for any reason, learn how Cincinnatus Insurance can help you find the best policy for your specific needs and budget.