Prepping Your Home for Cold Weather

Did you know, replacing a hose faucet that freezes can cost you more than $300? Not to mention the additional cost to repair the damaged floors or walls due to the burst pipe and flooding. The damage to your home will trigger a Homeowners Insurance claim, but the average cost sharing deductible is $1000 or more.  So, with temperatures starting to drop in the coming weeks, it is time to get your house ready. Below are some helpful tips to get you started:

• Change air filters. To maximize energy savings and safety, have your furnace inspected and filters changed.

• Turn off faucets, drain garden hoses and disconnect from outside spigots. 

• Clean gutters. Hire a service or do it yourself. Remove leaves, nests, and any other debris. Check for leaks, too. 

• Hire a professional to check your chimney and fireplace especially if you use a wood stove. Make sure your fire extinguishers are current, replace if out dated.

• Cover/winterize air conditioning. If your home has central air conditioning, it’s good practice to cover your outdoor unit for winter.

• Organize the shed. Move summer items to the back and winter items up front for better access. Remove any liquids that will freeze.

• Service summer power equipment. Empty fuel and clean lawnmower and trimmer. Have lawnmower blades sharpened and oil changed. Adding a gas stabilizer to your lawnmower is also helpful! 

• Remove batteries from lawn equipment and store inside. 

• Winterize your boat – flush and drain fluid lines, replace engine oil and fluids, add fuel stabilizer, store boat safely to shield it away from harsh winter elements. To keep mice for residing in your boat, cut Irish Spring Bar soap in half, place on paper plates, throughout the boat deck, cabin, storage area.

• Test your generator. If you have an emergency generator for power outages, give it a test to ensure it’s in good working order.

• Prune your plants. Keep limbs/branches at least three feet from your house. Prevents wind damage and moisture dripping onto roofing and siding.

Have questions about your current Homeowners policy and what it covers? Reach out to our team. We would be happy to review your current policy and discuss any changes that need to me made.