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Posted on: November 21, 2016 by titan-goodrich
According to the Farmer’s Almanac, winter 2016 will be “much colder” than winter 2015 for the eastern 2/3 of the United States. You know what cold weather means: an increased risk of burst pipes (and floods) and treacherous winter storms. Preparing your home for the winter? First, make sure your Virginia Home Insurance is in force. Then, heed these following winter-prep tips.
Cold temperatures mean cranking up the heater. To reduce the likelihood that yours will fail when you need it most and to gain peace of mind that your system is safe, schedule a tune-up now. Beat the rush!
Many ceiling fans have reverse switches. Turn the switch to make your fan’s blades rotate in clockwise direction. This will cause your fan to push heat (which naturally rises) from the ceiling down into the room.
Broken or missing shingles and damaged flashing seals around your vent stacks and chimneys can create opportunities for leaks. Many winter days in Virginia are snowy days. Snow sitting on a damaged roof is a recipe for disaster.
If you notice gaps around windows and doors that are larger than the width of a nickel, apply caulk or weather stripping to keep the cold out. When you’re using caulk, go with a Silicon-based product that is formulated to withstand the elements.
You’re probably not going to run the sprinklers in winter. Reduce the odds of burst pipes by removing hoses, turning off the water supply to exterior faucets, then turning the faucets on to drain them. (Drain your yard’s irrigation system, too.)
If you have a sump pump, it is a critical line of defense against flooding. Check it by pouring several gallons of water into the pit. Does the pump turn on? If not, call a repair technician.
The holidays are almost here and so is Virginia’s unpredictable winter weather. Before you get wrapped up in wrapping gifts and checking other items off you holiday to-do list, call us at Goodrich & Watson. We’ll make sure your home is insured and you are protected financially against whatever Mother Nature dishes out this winter!
Posted in: blog Homeowners Insurance Personal Insurance Property Insurance Virginia