Preparing For Winter Storms

11/18/2020 (Permalink)

The last thing you want to be taking care of this winter is frozen pipes or other issues that come with the cold weather, and preparing for winter storms and all their rain, sleet, and snow is a good way to keep those scenarios far away. In anticipation of subpar weather this winter, follow these 6 tips to prepare for winter storms:

1. Install weather stripping. 

Weatherstripping consists of sealing your doors and windows with material around the cracks to keep the cold air outside and the interior temperature regulated. Without weatherstripping, it’s easy for cold air, snow, and water to seep in through the cracks around your windows and doors, which makes your house chillier and also introduces potential mold growth. Adding weather stripping can keep the warm air inside your house while keeping cold air out, which also cuts down on your energy bill!

2. Invest in a generator.

Especially if you have a business that people come to in-person, investing in a generator is a smart decision. This is particularly true if you have refrigerators or food storage of any kind on-site that will spoil if the power goes out. Winter storms often bring wind and precipitation, and these can down power lines at a moment’s notice. Having a generator to kick in just in case will help prevent any damage from going down if the lights and heat go out. 

3. Keep blankets or other heat sources in storage.

If the power goes out, that also means your heat goes with it. To prepare for this, it’s a good idea to have extra blankets, coats, dry firewood for your wood-burning stove (if you have one), and an emergency phone charger that doesn’t require electricity to power up your phone even if the rest of your power is out.

4. Identify where your garage door’s manual release lever is located.

Since winter storms can cause power outages, it’s smart to educate yourself on where your garage door’s manual release lever is located so you can still leave your house if the electric garage door isn’t working. 

5. Open your cabinet doors to allow warm air to insulate your pipes.

On particularly cold days, it’s not a bad idea to leave your cabinet doors open under your sinks to allow warm air to circulate and insulate your pipes. Frozen pipes are a recipe for disaster, and it’s best to prevent them if at all possible.

6. Stay off the roads as much as possible.

Winter storms bring ice, sleet, rain, snow, and wind, and all of these elements can spell danger on the roads. It’s best to stay at home and minimize your time on the roads during winter storms until all the precipitation is cleared.

Take a walk around your house and make sure you’re prepared for the winter storms that are inevitably coming your way! If you experience any winter storm damage, you can reach SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville at (615) 242-9391.