First of all, you should always pay attention to the local newscast when blizzard season arrives. You never know when one might be on its way and it’s important to have a bit of time to go home and be safe. Once at home, make sure to have:
- Warm clothes
- Lots of blankets,
- Flashlights, batteries, and candles
That’s because there are no guarantees if the power will go down or not.
Besides,
It’s good to know if a blizzard is approaching so you can charge your phone ahead of time to be able to communicate with your family and stay tuned on the news.
That being said, your home needs to be prepared for a blizzard too - and not only when the blizzard is already on its way, make sure to be prepared as soon as possible! Here are the tips you need to make that happen!
“To succeed in your mission, you must have single-minded devotion to your goal.” - A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Clean Gutters
Getting the gutters cleaned is an essential fall home maintenance task. However, if you failed to do that then, you should get the job done before a blizzard hits. Call a professional ASAP to get this done before snow hits to prevent siding and foundation damages!
Insulation
An insulated home means a safer and warmer home. Doors and windows need to be properly insulated as to prevent cold air drafts from entering the house.
More than that,
- Insulating walls and the attic will conserve heat and energy, shrinking your energy and heating bills
- Closing blinds help keep the heat inside your house
- Closing doors to empty rooms help keep the heat centered in your home
Check Roof for Leaks/Cracks
In a general matter, roofs can hold about 20 pounds of snow per square foot, but if there are leaks or cracks in your shingles, the weight can bring you some big problems. Before snow starts to fall, get your roof inspected to prevent further damage.
Bonus: Remember to check for tree branches that could weight and fall down onto your home as well. Call a professional to get them trimmed or removed.
Pipes Protection
Nowadays it’s hard for pipes to freeze during winter, but if a blizzard hits, chances are way higher for that to happen - especially if there’s a power outage. Frozen pipes can burst and cause even more damage (leak issues).
The solution is: Insulating pipes and having an alternative heat source (your fireplace will do just fine).
Check Heating System
Remember to get your heating system and fireplace inspected before a blizzard.
- Get a professional to check and update your heating system
- Get a chimney sweep
- Install carbon monoxide detectors
- Stock up on firewood
- Know how to be safe near a fireplace
Emergency Kit
Of course, you can’t really go through something as big as a blizzard and not be prepared with an emergency kit. That includes non-perishable food, water, and non-electric heat sources. Also, make sure to have a snow shovel handy to help clear the snow once it’s safe to go outside again.
Get your roof checked to prevent damages to your entire home. Get a free quote for a roof inspection.
