Every year we get questions about how to prepare a home for Winter. Recently we published a post about how New Jersey winters affect your plumbing.
We always recommend starting the planning and preparation for the freezing cold temperatures well in advance, and taking into account possible unexpected events. You never know what storm or weather conditions could be forecasted for the Jersey Shore in any given year, so a plan of action should be in place to protect your home and winterize it.
Imagine your body is just like your house, once the weather takes a harsh turn and temperatures begin dropping, you can really feel your body fighting to keep warm and this is the same with your house, it will be fighting against the extreme weather conditions. That’s why you need to get it ready before the temperatures start dropping, because if you don’t look after it, you will not be happy with the results.
So, if you’re living in Jersey Shore, what can you do to winterize your home? Well, there are a few steps to follow that will have your house set up and ready to go:
Check everything in and around your home
This includes tiles, shutters, siding, and other exterior materials, so that they are secure.
Clear your gutters
You must make sure all your gutters are cleared and cleaned out. If you don’t, you risk an ice dam. They can occur when ice melts off the roof during the day and then re-freezes as it drips into a clogged gutter. This can lead to serious leaks, which will be a huge expense for you.
Seal air leaks around the home to keep it warmer
The best thing you can do for your home is to seal any air leaks, to keep the heat in and you’ll also save in energy costs.
Insulate all exposed plumbing pipes to prevent burst pipes
This is the most important one as you do not want your pipes freezing over when the temperatures drop below zero. As you are insulating your pipes, you should think of all the water shut-off valves, this saves you time as you know exactly where to turn off the water supply in case of any leaks.
Check the roof as well
Another risk during winter to your home are weather conditions such as high winds, and ice which can completely take off your roof tiles, causing serious damage. You should make sure no roof tiles are loose or missing, and consider hiring a professional to help you.
Prepare supplies ahead of time
The last and final step is to collect or purchase some emergency supplies, better to be safe than sorry. Some important products that you should have in your home include:
- A few shovels
- De-icers
- Extra fuel – firewood
- Clean blankets, pillows, warm clothing
- Canned Food and bottled water
- Torch
- Transistor radio with new batteries
With these steps, your home will be all set and ready to go for the length of winter. Remember, just as you look after your body and prepare yourself for winter, the same should be done for your home, so winterize it in advance of winter. Contact us if you have any questions about preparing your plumbing for the Winter, proper use of insulation on your pipes, or for our plumbing services!
