Winter is Coming Checklist

11/23/2023 (Permalink)

As the crisp winter air settles in and snowflakes begin to fall, it's essential to ensure that your home is ready to withstand the challenges of the season. A winter-ready home not only keeps you warm and cozy but also protects your property from potential hazards brought by snow, ice, wind and extreme cold.

From insulating your windows and doors to preparing your heating system, this checklist will guide you through essential tasks that will safeguard your home against the winter chill. By taking proactive measures, you can enjoy the beauty of winter from the comfort of your warm and secure home.

Inspect Your Roof

Getting your roof inspected before the winter season is crucial for several reasons. First, winter brings harsh weather conditions, including heavy snowfall, freezing temperatures, and ice accumulation. A roof that might have minor issues during other seasons can quickly turn into a major problem when subjected to the weight of snow and the expansion and contraction caused by freezing and thawing.

Inspections can identify any existing damage, such as cracked shingles or any signs of leakage. Timely repairs or replacements can prevent leaks and water damage inside your home, preserving its structural integrity.

So, a well-maintained roof ensures optimal insulation, keeping your home warm and energy-efficient during the colder months. By investing in a pre-winter roof inspection, you not only will protect your home, but also will potentially save on costly repairs that might be needed if problems are left unattended until after the winter season.

Fill in The Gaps

Filling gaps in your windows and doors before the winter season, and especially before a winter storm, is vital. These gaps, no matter how small they may seem, can allow cold drafts to seep into your home and cause the heat to escape. This leads to increased energy bills and reduced overall comfort.

By sealing these openings with weatherstripping materials or caulking, you create a barrier against chilly winds, keeping your home warm and cozy. Also, this simple yet effective measure helps in maintaining a consistent indoor temperature and keeps moisture from getting into your home.

If it snows and you have found gaps, the snow, ice, and water can enter into your home, causing enough damage for you to need water damage restoration services. If you don't act on it in a quick manner, this water damage can cause further issues like mold growth, structural problems, and more.

Test the Sump Pump

Testing your sump pump before the winter weather is essential when protecting your home and property from potential flooding and water damage. Winter often brings heavy rains and melting snow, increasing the risk of a basement flood.

A functional sump pump plays a crucial role in preventing water accumulation in your basement by pumping out excess water to the outdoors. Regular testing ensures that the pump is operational and ready to handle the increased water flow during the winter months.

If a problem is detected, you have ample time to repair or replace the pump before winter storms strike. Neglecting this simple maintenance task could lead to a basement flood, causing extensive damage to your property, valuable belongings, and even compromise the structural integrity of your home.

Clean Your Gutters

Cleaning your gutters before the winter weather is a crucial task that can save you from a host of potential problems. During the fall, leaves, twigs, and debris tend to accumulate in gutters, creating blockages. As winter arrives, these clogged gutters can prevent proper drainage, leading to water overflow.

In freezing temperatures, this trapped water can turn into ice dams, causing significant damage to your roof, siding, and foundation. By clearing out your gutters before winter, you ensure that the melting snow and ice have a clear pathway to flow away from your home.

Turn Off Outside Faucets

Turning off outside faucets before the winter season is essential to prevent water pipes from freezing and potentially bursting in the cold temperature. When water is left in the pipes, and faucets and pipes are exposed to the cold, it can expand and freeze, leading to cracks and leaks.

By shutting off the outside faucets and draining any remaining standing water off from the pipes, you eliminate the risk of water freezing inside and causing costly damage. It's also advisable to disconnect and store garden hoses, as they can trap water in the faucets even after you've turn them off.

Get Your Winter Supplies Ready

Preparing your home for the winter involves gathering essential supplies to ensure you and your family stay safe, warm, and comfortable. Here's a list of supplies you might need:

• Heating Supplies: Ensure your heating system is in good working condition. Stock up on firewood, if applicable, and have your furnace serviced. Consider using space heaters as a backup but do not leave them unattended.
• Emergency Kit: Prepare an emergency kit that includes flashlights, batteries, candles, a first aid kit, blankets, and non-perishable food items in case of power outages during a winter storm.
• Winter Tools: Have snow shovels, ice melt, and snow blowers on hand to clear driveways and pathways.
• Home Repair Supplies: Keep basic tools, duct tape, and sealant handy for minor repairs that might become necessary due to a winter storm. This will hold you over, and depending on the size of the storm damage, reaching out to SERVPRO for storm damage restoration services is key.

Why SERVPRO?

There are many reasons why SERVPRO should be on the top of your mind should you be dealing with water damage, storm damage, mold growth, fire damage, etc. We can do it all. To be more specific:

We're Faster to Any Size Disaster

A fast response is crucial to flooding and storm damage, because it reduces the extent of secondary damage and restoration costs. Storms don't wait for regular business hours and neither do we. Our technicians will respond immediately, day or night, to help Hoboken business owners and residents.

We're Highly Trained Storm Damage Specialists

We are storm and water damage specialists who get started promptly to get your property dry and back to pre-storm condition. Using advanced equipment and scientific drying techniques, we document the drying process to validate your home or business is ready.

We Have the Resources to Handle Storms and Disasters

We can access the resources and personnel of 2180 franchises to handle major storms and disasters. We also have access to special Disaster Recovery Teams strategically located throughout the country to respond to catastrophic storms and events.

So, whether you're dealing with water damage, fire damage, mold problems, or winter storms like a blizzard or a bad storm causing issues, we're the restoration pros you should call.

About SERVPRO Team Harvey

SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan, SERVPRO of West Somerset County, and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.

If you have an emergency, we're here to help. We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”

Learn about TEAM HARVEY: VIDEO