Winterproof Your Home Against Heavy Snowfalls and Power Outages

Winter weather can bring with it a host of issues that impact homes. Frozen pipes, clogged gutters, and power outages are just some of the risks homeowners face.

Homeowners can take a proactive approach to reduce the risk of winter damage by preparing their homes. This includes insulating pipes in unheated areas, draining outdoor hoses and allowing faucets to drip during severe cold spells.

Frozen Pipes

Water damage accounts for the lion’s share of homeowners insurance claims in the winter, and frozen and burst pipes are one of the biggest culprits. Frozen water expands, putting tremendous pressure on whatever contains it, like pipes. This can rupture or break them, flooding your home and causing serious structural damage.

A few preventive steps can go a long way toward preventing this dangerous problem. Start with a thorough inspection of your property and home. Look for cracks in your foundation, loose shingles on your roof and gaps around windows and doors that can let cold air and moisture in. Seal these weak points with caulk or weather stripping.

Next, make a checklist of your outdoor water sources and indoor faucets. Check for any exposed water supply lines that could be vulnerable to freezing, such as those running to outdoor hose bibs and water supply pipes in unheated areas like basements and crawl spaces. Insulate these pipes to help protect them from extreme cold, and consider installing frost-free spigots that can thaw without removing the hose. Drain and store garden hoses to keep them from bursting or refreezing during cold spells, and allow faucets to drip a little during extremely cold weather to prevent or thaw frozen pipes.

Another important indicator of frozen pipes is a sudden drop in water pressure or a trickle of water coming from the faucets. Also, if you notice an odd smell in your home, it may indicate a problem with frozen pipes. This is because odors can’t escape through the ice and are forced back into your house.

If you’re worried about your pipes, consult with a plumber to help you insulate them and protect them from cold temperatures. They’ll also advise you on how to properly shut off and drain your water system before a cold snap. If you do experience a pipe freeze or burst, turn off your water immediately and contact a plumber right away to thaw the frozen area. They’ll also inspect your water and sewer systems to identify any problems. Water damage can lead to costly repairs, so a quick response is essential.

Broken Branches

The weight of snow can break branches and twigs and pull them down. Tree limbs that fall during a storm can damage your roof, windows and siding, or create a hazardous situation for you and your family. While it’s not possible to prevent all winter weather damage, there are steps you can take to protect your property.

Having a professional inspect your roof before winter arrives is an important first step to protect against storm-related damage. Look for damage like cracks or missing shingles. You should also have gutters cleaned to remove leaves and other debris that can impede the flow of melting snow and ice.

It’s also important to keep snow from piling up in front of your home. If you need to use salt on icy walkways, don’t pile it up near your trees and shrubs, as it can cause salt burn — making the brittle plants more susceptible to breaking.

You should also be careful when shoveling snow away from the foundation of your home and other structures. A small amount of snow may not be a problem, but if you shovel too much and compact the soil, it can damage your foundation.

In the northern part of the United States, where Union County and Cranford are located, heavy snowfalls can be particularly damaging to evergreens. These trees aren’t as strong as deciduous trees and can suffer from frost damage, snow loads and sunscald. To protect evergreens, you can wrap them in burlap sacks that are secured with twine. These bags can help prevent damage by shielding them from harsh winter winds, snow loads and sunlight. They can also deter animals, such as deer and rabbits, from feasting on the foliage.

You can also use cables and braces to reduce stress on weakened branches or limbs, which can reduce the likelihood of damage from high winds, heavy snowfall and built-up ice. A certified arborist can advise you on which trees are good candidates for cabling and bracing. You can also minimize damage to your home during a windstorm by removing limbs that hang over your roof or power lines, and by anchoring outdoor items like sheds and gazebos.

Water Damage

Winter snow and cold temperatures are not just beautiful to look at—they can also wreak havoc on your home’s interior and structural integrity. That’s why preventive actions are key to keeping your home healthy and avoiding costly water damage this winter.

The first step is to clean out gutters to avoid blockages that lead to ice dams. These icy formations form at the edge of your roof and keep melting snow, ice, and rain from flowing properly through your downspouts, which leads to flooding in your basement and crawlspace. You can also add additional protection by improving your roof’s insulation, especially in unheated areas like attics and basements.

Water infiltration is another common winter concern, and it can cause significant damage to your home’s structure and belongings if it’s not addressed quickly. Common warning signs include water stains on walls or ceilings and unexplained odors. You can prevent this by repairing cracks in your foundation walls, addressing leaky windows and doors, and insulating any exposed pipes.

If you use a wood-burning fireplace or stove, be sure to have your chimney cleaned and inspected for creosote buildup. This is a serious fire hazard, and it can easily lead to carbon monoxide poisoning if not properly vented.

Another major problem is flooded basements, which can occur due to poor drainage, overflowing sumps, or cracks in your home’s foundation walls. To minimize the risk, be sure to install a backup generator to power your essential equipment during power outages and consider installing a sump pump or French drains to manage floodwaters and protect your property from water damage.

In addition, it’s important to make your home as energy efficient as possible. A few easy and affordable upgrades can significantly reduce your energy costs this winter. Replace air filters, seal drafts around windows and doors, and use caulking and weatherstripping to create an airtight barrier. Insulating your attic and wrapping your pipes in unheated areas can also help to prevent freezing, so be sure to check them frequently. Also, consider installing a programmable thermostat and whole-house water filtration system to minimize the impact of contaminants on your health and home’s structure.

Power Outages

Winter storms often cause power outages that disrupt lives, put people at risk for cold-related health problems and make it difficult to heat homes. Power outages also cause food to spoil and water to freeze, making it essential to have an emergency supply of both. It’s a good idea to keep an emergency kit at home that includes items such as flashlights and lanterns, non-perishable food, blankets and battery-powered or crank radios to provide light and information. It’s also important to know how to shut off your home’s main water, gas and electricity valves in case of a problem.

Another way to prepare for winter power outages is to invest in weatherizing your house to make it more energy efficient. This can include affordable, DIY projects such as caulking around windows or adding draft guards. It can also involve more permanent projects such as insulation in the attic and walls or upgrading doors to reduce air leaks. This type of investment not only makes your house more comfortable during a power outage but can also help you save money on your heating bills all winter long.

Once a winter storm has passed, it’s essential to check the area for downed trees and power lines. You should avoid touching any downed wires, as they could still be live and can cause electrocution or fires. If possible, contact your home insurance to find out if your policy covers damage from winter weather hazards and to review it to see if you need additional coverage.

If you have prepared your home well in advance and follow Ziese’s advice, a winter storm power outage can be much less disruptive than it might seem. While you wait for the power to come back on, stay warm by wearing layers of clothing. Start with thermal underwear and wool socks, then add pants, a heavy sweater and a coat. Cover your head with a hat and mittens, which hold body heat more effectively than gloves, and top it all off with warm boots. This will help prevent heat from escaping your extremities, where most of our body’s heat is lost.