What’s the Best Way to Safeguard Your House from Extreme Winter Weather?

Image credit

What immediately comes to your mind when you think of winter? Maybe something cute and cozy like snowflakes and hot coco, right? Maybe you think about candles and crackling wood in the fireplace? Who knows, maybe you even think about the more practical side like saving money on bills during this time of year. Well, whatever you think of, depending on where you live, it can be harsh and unpredictable. Sure, some places it’s still calm and cozy, but just not everywhere.

For example, if you live in the north of the US, and especially Canada, then you can probably expect that winter weather can mean heavy snowstorms, ice, and freezing temperatures that put your home to the test. The last thing you want is to be caught off guard when a foot of snow piles up on your roof or an ice storm knocks out power for days.

Luckily, there are steps you can take now to safeguard your home and avoid some major headaches down the line. So, with that all said, here’s how you can prepare for winter’s worst.

You’ll Need to Start with Your Roof

Your roof is like your home’s shield, taking the brunt of the snow, ice, and freezing winds. If it’s not in top shape, you could be looking at leaks, water damage, or worse. Basically, you can count on a whole giant nightmare to happen.So, before winter rolls in, it’s smart to have a local roofing contractor come by and inspect it. Yes, you’ll have to fork over a bit of money, but it’s 100% worth it, and most likely, you won’t even need to do this annually either (unless the weather is atrocious).

But why this investment anyway? Well, they’ll check for any damaged shingles, weak spots, or potential leaks. It’s way easier (and cheaper) to handle a small repair now than to deal with a collapsed roof after a snowstorm.

Insulate Your Pipes

Needless to say, frozen pipes are every homeowner’s nightmare. They’ll bust, too. This is especially a problem if you have an unheated basement or live in a modular home (trailers and tiny homes included) since pipes are more exposed in these homes. 

So, to prevent this disaster, make sure your pipes are properly insulated. But if you want to be extra cautious, you can also keep a slow drip on your faucets during those frigid nights to prevent pressure buildup.

Prepare for Power Outages

Ice storms are dangerous, they can knock out power lines and leave you without heat, lights, or water for days. These are considered to be a natural disaster. So ideal, you’re going to either need to get a backup generator or even something like a wood-burning stove involved (proper installation). Be careful what you pick to heat your home as you want to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

Prevent Falling Limbs

Did you know that heavy snow and ice can cause big branches to snap off? Sometimes, the whole tree can break due to the weight of all the snow and ice. It’s especially a bad idea if this tree is around your house or car. So, ideally, cut back all the limbs of the trees you have before winter hits.