Town Crier Articles

Have you taken steps to prepare your home for the coming winter weather? After the heat of summer and the crisp, sunny days of fall, it’s hard to imagine that winter weather will soon arrive, but taking steps now to prepare your home for colder temperatures could save you money on heating bills and costly repairs, and might even help to keep you and your family safer, dryer, and warmer.

 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, has some suggestions you might want to consider to consider:      

• Insulate and weatherstrip:  Add insulation to your attic, basement, and crawl spaces. Seal drafts by applying weatherstripping to windows and doors and caulking any visible cracks.

• Protect your pipes:  Prevent frozen and burst pipes by insulating pipes in unheated areas like your garage or basement.

o   During extreme cold, let indoor faucets on exterior walls slowly drip to keep water flowing.

o   Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate.

o   Know how to shut off your main water valve in case a pipe does burst.

• Prepare your heating system: Have a professional inspect and clean your heating system and chimney every year. Also, keep flammable materials at least three feet away from all heat sources.

• Clean gutters: Remove any debris from your gutters to prevent ice from building up and causing roof damage.

• Maintain your roof and trim trees:  Inspect your roof for loose shingles and check with a professional to ensure your roof can handle the potential weight of snow and ice. Trim any tree branches that could fall on your home during a storm.