Winter Weather Travel Precautions

11/28/2018 (Permalink)

Follow these steps to ensure your home doesn't become a winter wonderland.

When you think of winter weather travel you normally think about road conditions and the extended forecast to make sure there are no disruptions in travel.  The thing that some people forget is to make sure your home is also safe during the cold snaps.  

Frozen pipes are the leading cause of water loss during the winter months and they can happen for any number of reasons such as hoses left on the outside faucet, furnace failure, or improperly insulate pipes.  Whatever the reason, SERVPRO of Spencer & Iowa Great Lakes is here to help minimize the interruption to your daily life "like it never even happened." 

Whether your winter travels take you away for an evening, a weekend, or longer you should make sure your home is ready for the elements.  The following tips will help you prepare for the midwest winter. 

1. Check the insulation in and around your pipes.  If your home suffers frequently from frozen pipes it may be time to insulate either around the pipes themselves or within the wall cavity.  If you question the amount of insulation within a wall cavity contact your local plumber to see if they have the equipment necessary to look into the wall cavity with minimal damage to your home.  If the insulation is the issue to your frozen pipes not only will this help you from having the frozen pipes but it will also reduce your overall heating costs. 
2. Open cabinet doors.  By opening cabinet doors you are allowing equal airflow to reach the pipes under these cabinets which will transfer warmer air to these otherwise cool areas. 
3. Allow indoor faucets to slowly drip.  This can be tricky to do and can be a cause for concern for some thinking their bill will be higher.  The benefit to allowing your pipes to drip is allowing for constant movement within the pipes to reduce the opportunity for freezing. 
4. Have a house sitter. Many homeowners reduce the temperature in their homes when they are away for an extended period of time.  When doing this make sure you have a friend or neighbor lined up to check on your home periodically to make sure the furnace did not stop running or the temperatures are dipping too low.

 The holidays are meant to be a happy time, reduce the chances for the holiday blues by taking these extra steps when leaving your home during the winter.  

Remember, if disaster strikes call the professionals at SERVPRO of Spencer & Iowa Great Lakes at 712-262-4379.