If you live close to the north, you know the drill. Four to five months of heavy clothes, seeing your breath and generally freezing outside.
If your home had a lot of icicles last winter -- or ice dams, which can cause meltwater to back up and flow into your house -- follow these steps to prevent potential damage this year. A home-energy auditor or weatherization contractor can identify and fix any air leaks and inadequate insulation in your home's attic that can lead to ice dams.
Heat your roof or at least scan it closely with binoculars. Look for damaged, loose or missing shingles that may leak during winter or from melting snow. If your gutters are full of detritus, water can back up against the house and damage your roof, siding and wood trim -- plus cause leaks and ice dams. Add extensions to downspouts so that water would run at least 3 to 4 feet away from the foundation.
Slowly pour several gallons of water into the sump pit to see whether the pump turns on. You should do this every 4-5 months, but especially after a long dry season or before a rainy one. Undrained water in pipes can freeze, which will cause pipes to blow as the ice expands. Start by disconnecting all garden hoses and draining the water that remains in faucets.
Also make sure your fireplace (or any heating appliance burning gas, oil, wood or coal), chimney and vents are clean and in good condition. That will prevent chimney fires and prevent carbon monoxide from creeping into your home.
We hope you are ready for the winter anyway, but if you missed the moment, we really hope these tips would help you get ready. Check out more blogs at household.ie
