Winter storms can cause tremendous damage to homes, and the repairs can be costly. While you can’t prevent winter storms, there are steps you can take to protect your home and minimize the damage they can cause. Let’s take a look at some of these steps so you can make sure your home is properly prepared for any winter weather that may come your way.
Check Your Gutters and Downspouts
Gutters and downspouts play a vital role in protecting your home from water damage, especially during the winter months when snow and ice accumulate on or near your roof. Make sure your gutters are free of debris, such as leaves and dirt, that could prevent them from doing their job effectively. If there are any trees or shrubs near your house, trim back their branches to ensure that they won’t be able to interfere with your gutters. Additionally, check all of the downspouts to make sure they are securely attached to the ground and away from any windows or doors.
Clear Away Snow From Your Roof
Snow build-up on your roof has the potential to cause serious damage if it isn’t taken care of quickly. To keep snow from accumulating on top of your roof, consider installing a roof rake —a long pole with a blade attached at one end—that will let you clear away snow without having to climb up onto the roof itself. It’s also important to note that if you have an older home with a flat roof or if you live in an area prone to heavy snowfall, then hiring a professional roofing company may be necessary for safely removing large amounts of snow from your roof.
Stay Vigilant During Heavily Snowy Periods
During times when heavy amounts of snow are expected, it’s important to stay vigilant about checking for leaks or other signs of water damage in areas like attics, basements, crawl spaces, and interior walls. Be sure to check these areas periodically throughout heavily snowy periods so that if any issues do arise they can be addressed before they have time to become worse. Additionally, periodic inspections by a certified home inspector during winter months is always recommended as well—they will be able to spot potential problems early on before they have time becoming bigger issues later on down the line.
Winter storms can cause significant damage if not properly prepared for in advance, but by taking precautionary steps such as checking gutters and downspouts regularly throughout the season as well as clearing away excess snow from roofs yourself (or hiring professionals where necessary) homeowners can increase their chances at keeping their homes safe from harm this season. Remember: small investments now can save large expenses later So don’t wait—start preparing today.
