With winter quickly approaching, it’s a great time to begin preparing your home for colder weather. Taking the proper precautions now ensures that you’ll spend less time worrying about bursting water pipes, contacting your insurance agency to file a home insurance claim, and other problems related to plummeting temperatures so you and your family stay warm all winter. These guidelines can help you get your home ready for whatever the cold season brings.

Insurance Agency Staff Discuss 3 Winter Preparation Tips for Your Home

1. Get Your Fireplace Ready

Before you use your fireplace this winter, get a flashlight and check the flue for potential problems such as large cracks, creosote buildup, or bird nests. Examine the outside to make sure the bricks and mortar are not crumbling. It’s a great idea to have your home’s chimney cleaned and professionally inspected to increase its lifespan and prevent expensive repairs.

2. Insulate the Pipes

It’s important to cover exposed pipes in unheated areas of your home such as the basement and attic to prevent breakage and serious water damage. Insulating the plumbing pipes helps to stop them from freezing in cold temperatures. Use pipe insulation sleeves to cover every part of the pipe including bends and joints and seal any seams with duct tape. 

3. Clean the Gutters

When your gutters are clogged with leaves and twigs, rain and melted snow can cause water damage to your home. Clean any debris out of your gutters and run water through the downpipes to remove anything stuck in them. You can also consider installing snow guards to stop piles of snow and sheets of ice from sliding off your roof and damaging your gutters.

Crothers Insurance Agency, located in Rising Sun, MD, offers a wide variety of policies from top insurance carriers to accommodate your individual needs. Their insurance agents can provide helpful information about home insurance policies and coverage options. Give them a call at (410) 658-5200 to speak to an insurance agent. You can also visit them on Facebook to learn more about their commercial insurance policies.