A major snowstorm is expected to dump two feet of snow—or more—on New England.
It’s very likely that, as you’re reading this, a powerful winter storm is pounding New England, the Upper Midwest, and other areas of the northeastern U.S. When it’s over, people in those areas will be left to dig out from several inches—or even feet—of snow. Whether you’re in these areas or not, it’s always a good time to prepare for something like this and winterproof your home.
Preparing now could help prevent costly problems down the road, things like flooding or a roof collapse. The old adage, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” certainly applies.
It may look like a winter wonderland, but there are some dangers lurking under all that snow, if not dealt with promptly.
Here are some things you can do to help prevent a weather-related catastrophe at your home:
- Clear off large accumulations of icicles and ice in gutters to reduce weight and assure that water can flow through them freely.
- Keep snow levels on your roof as low as possible.
- Shovel walkways and driveways as soon as you can to prevent them from becoming too slippery.
- Insulate pipes around your house so they don’t freeze.
- If you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove, have your chimney inspected and cleaned by a professional.
For many people throughout the U.S., it’s too late to prepare for a big snowstorm, because they’re being pummeled by one right now. If you’re not among them, it might be a good idea to go over this checklist to make sure your home is ready for a storm, because you never know when or where the next one will hit.
Are there any tips we’ve missed? What are some other ideas you have to winterproof your home? Let us know in the comments section below.
