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Here’s How to Prepare for Winter Weather and Storms | SERVPRO® of West Forsyth County
12/27/2021 (Permalink)
Winter probably elicits one of two reactions from you—either you hang your head with dread of the upcoming cold weather, or you squeal with delight at the idea of bundling up all winter.
Regardless of your feelings about the season, however, the weather that comes along with it can prove to be quite a problem. Between sub-freezing temperatures that threaten pipes and plants to the six inches of snow and ice that make roads dangerous, being prepared for winter weather can make all the difference.
So let’s look at a few things you should be doing now to prepare for the winter ahead.
If a winter storm should strike and cause road issues or widespread outages, your emergency action plan can make all the difference in keeping your family safe, seeing to it that everyone knows when and how to act, where to meet and how to stay in contact until everyone is safe and accounted for.
Your car’s health is important in winter, too, so get your tires rotated or replaced if necessary, and check the health of your battery, brakes and fluids.
Keep emergency kits stocked up as well; you want one in the house and one in each vehicle.
Frozen pipes are a real pain you want to avoid, but they’re always a possibility when temperatures take a nosedive into the ‘teens. Insulate your outdoor pipes, and let all shower heads and faucets drip when it’s bitter cold.
Energy efficiency can be a big help or a big hurt during winter, so check your attic’s insulation and the seals around your windows to make sure warm air is trapped in and cold air is locked out.
Get a tune-up for your HVAC system as well—some routine maintenance or repairs now while it’s still mild can help ensure a healthy system throughout the winter and lessen your chances of a system failure.
The chill of winter is too much for domestic pets, so bring Fluffy and Heathcliff inside when temperatures drop. Make a comfortable spot inside where they can rest and enjoy the warmth.
If you own any livestock that have to stay outdoors, make sure they have stables and shelters, and see to it that they always have fresh, not frozen, water.
We live in an area where you never quite know what winter may bring, so always keep your weather notifications on, and let local and national news agencies update you with forecasts of potentially hazardous storms, freezing roads and more. Prepare now and stay safe when winter hits.
If winter weather should bring damage or flooding to your home or business, contact SERVPRO for fast, restorative solutions.