How to Protect Your Home From Winter Weather Hazards

Winter in North Carolina can bring a mix of snow, sleet, freezing rain and dangerously low temperatures. These conditions can present considerable dangers to your home. The following are some essential steps to protect your property from winter weather hazards.

Winterizing Your Home

The following tips can be used to help winterize your home:

• Insulate and seal. Ensure your home is well-insulated. Install insulation in your attic, walls and floors to retain heat and block out the cold. Use weather stripping or caulk to seal any gaps around windows and doors, preventing drafts.

• Maintain heating systems. Schedule an annual professional service for your heating system to maintain its efficiency. This includes checking your furnace, heat pump and any space heaters. Make sure you have a reliable supply of heating fuel.

• Prevent frozen pipes. Insulate pipes, particularly in unheated spaces such as basements and garages. Let faucets drip slightly during extreme cold to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.

• Clear gutters and roofs. Clear leaves and debris from your gutters to avoid ice dams that can lead to water damage. Also, trim any tree branches that might fall on your house during a storm.

• Obtain emergency supplies. Keep an emergency kit with essentials like nonperishable food, water, flashlights, batteries and blankets.

• Review your homeowners insurance. Winter weather can cause various types of damage, such as roof collapses from heavy snow, burst pipes and water damage from ice dams. By reviewing your policy, you can ensure you understand what is covered and identify gaps in your coverage.

Learn More

Contact Amato Insurance Group to discuss your homeowners insurance.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.