Winter weather is coming. Are you prepared?

12/28/2023 (Permalink)

Follow these tips to winter-proof your property to prepare for cold weather.

Winter 2023-24 is under way, reminding us that it's that time of year to winter-proof our homes.

If you live in Maryland and haven’t already, now is the perfect time to take advantage of the warmer days in order to get your property ready for the colder weather coming our way.

Below are a few tips for keeping your property at its peak during the Winter season:

• Seal gaps around door frames and windows to keep cold air from slipping in
• Insulate pipes and hot water tanks to avoid freezing and to reduce heat loss
• Check your drainage. To avoid saturation, and then the thawing of the soil near your property’s structure, add extra soil to the affected area.
• Clean your gutters to avoid a backup and potential overflow.
• Clean your chimney! Before you begin using the fireplace, have it inspected and cleaned, or else, many problems can arise.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and make sure they work properly. House fires most commonly occur in the winter months. While homes and offices are closed up tight during the winter to keep the cold air out, it also means carbon monoxide becomes more of a hazard.
• Drain any outdoor faucets
  • These faucets can develop a costly leak
  • Faucets can also freeze over, sometimes splitting the water line, which can lead to a house flooding
• Cover outdoor furniture to avoid damage from snow, hail, etc., but do so on a nice, dry day, so no moisture can become trapped under whatever you cover your furniture with.
• Find your shovel or snow blower ahead of time. One of the last things you want to do in a snowstorm is crawl your way through piles of snow to your shed to retrieve such items.
• Check your trees. Is there any risk it could fall on your home or building? Could one of its dead branches? Is a branch touching your property? If so, it’s a good time to chop off whatever necessary before snow and ice come
• Check your attic
  • Heats rises, so if you don’t insulate your attic well, the heat you’re paying for will rise right out of your home.
  • Check for critters! Animals want a warm place to stay during wintertime. Just make sure it’s not in your attic or home in general!

Keep our SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E number handy in the event you have storm or water damage in your home or business during Winter. 301-323-8862. We have Emergency Response Teams stand ready to help.