5 Expert Tips for Severe Winter Weather
If you live in the Northeast, you know every winter brings some brutally cold weather with wind chill temperatures below zero degrees. Add a little bit of ice, sleet, and snow and you have the perfect mix of elements that can cause damage to your home.
Here are a few preventive tips to keep your home and family safe during severe winter weather:
1. Ice Dams
Watch for ice dams along your gutters and roof line. Icicles may look pretty, but they signal trouble. Ice dams prevent melting snow and ice to flow normally and cause water to back up under your roof, loosen shingles, and seep into your home resulting in stained and sagging ceilings, peeling paint, and soggy insulation which creates an environment for mold and mildew.
2. Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes are one of the most common causes of damage during cold snaps. Remember, your pipes are in your walls and below your floors, where it may be substantially colder than within your warm walls. Maintain a temperature of at least 60 degrees when you are away. Know where your main water shutoff valve is and how it works. If you have exposed pipes, let a small trickle of water run from that faucet to help prevent freezing.
3. Heating System Maintenance
It is important to have your furnace or boiler serviced each year to ensure it is operating safely and correctly. Your dealer will change air filters, tune-up and/or replace older components, and do safety checks on emissions and efficiency. Proper maintenance helps ensure your family’s safety and provides you the peace of mind you won’t be without heat during these cold winter nights.
4. Garage Doors
Keep your garage doors closed. There is no need to let warm air get pulled out of your home and let cold drafts in.
5. Flues and Fireplaces
Make sure that your fireplace or wood stove is working correctly. And be sure to close the flue when they are not in use.
For more expert advice, or if you have any other heating or cooling questions, contact your local dealer.
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