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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Winter Storm Protection Checklist – 5 Tips to Keep Your Home Safe

1/21/2019 (Permalink)

This past weekend saw Winter Storm Harper, which affected some area in all 48 states. When a major winter storm is in the forecast, do you know what you can do make sure your home stays safe?

Here at SERVPRO of Hackensack / Little Ferry we want to help homeowners keep their families and property safe when a winter storm hits, so here’s a quick checklist to help you protect your home:

Prevent Ice Dams on Your House.

Ice dams happen when heat from your home causes water to melt in the middle of your roof and then this water re-freezes at the edges, creating a dam that can cause roof leaks and damage to your walls and ceiling. 

If you notice icicles forming from your roof, this may be a sign of a developing ice dam.

Keep the Outside of Your House Protected.

Check your gutters and make sure your downspouts are clear so that water can flow. Trim any branches close to the house that may freeze, snap, and damage your house or power lines. Seal up any drafty windows or doors to keep your home warm.

Don’t Let Snow Accumulate on the Roof.

Too much heavy snow piled up on your roof could cause your roof to collapse.

This can be particularly problematic on flat roofs, which are typically built over porches or housing additions. If necessary, consider getting a roof rake which will come with a long handle so you can clear some of the snow from the roof while standing on the ground.

Make Sure Your Pipes Don’t Freeze.

Some of the worst winter water damage is caused by frozen pipes that burst.

Make sure to check on the pipes in your attic, crawl space, basement, and behind cabinets, as these are most likely to freeze. Consider wrapping them in insulation or opening the cabinets so that warm air can circulate.  In addition, try letting some water slowly drip from your faucets in order to keep water flowing.

Have an Emergency Kit and a Generator Ready.

Make sure you have an emergency kit with flashlights, extra batteries, a first aid kit, warm clothes, and a stock of food, water, and daily medications.  You may also want to keep some extra cash on hand, just in case.

With this simple checklist, you can help make sure your home stays safe throughout the winter season. If the storm does cause damage to your property, you can call SERVPRO Hackensack / Little Ferry for help.  We have the advanced skills and equipment needed to get your home back to normal ASAP. We pride ourselves on being “faster to any disaster,” and you can reach out to us anytime 24/7.

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