How to Protect Your Beachwood Home from Winter Storms

1/25/2022 (Permalink)

The weather in Beachwood, Ohio can be quite unpredictable, especially in the winter months.

The weather in Beachwood, Ohio can be quite unpredictable, especially in the winter months. While it’s best to winter-proof your home before winter arrives, there are plenty of steps you can take to reduce the chances of damage to your property, even when a winter storm is headed your way:

Warm those pipes. One of the most common (and costly) causes of damage during winter months are frozen and/or burst pipes. Pipes that are exposed to colder parts of the house or exterior walls are most susceptible to freezing and breaking. Wrap pipes in the cold parts of the home in insulation and keep kitchen and bathroom cabinets open to allow warm air to circulate around those pipes. It also helps to let water drip slowly from the faucets.

Avoid damage from ice dams. Ice dams are another common cause of winter damage to homes. An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow from draining off the roof. The water can back up behind the dam and leak into a home, causing damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas. If you have icicles hanging from your roof, that can be an indicator that ice dams are forming.

Keep your attic cold (no more than five to ten degrees warmer than outside temperatures) by sealing holes from light fixtures and ceiling fans to prevent warm air from escaping out of the home and into the attic. Also, (carefully!) remove snow from your roof using a roof rake and push broom.

Protect the outside of your house. Clean and clear your gutters and downspouts to ensure water doesn’t back up and freeze. Trim any low-hanging tree branches that could potentially freeze, snap, and damage the home or power lines. Seal drafty windows and doors with weather stripping

Keep two emergency kits (one in your car, and one in your home). The kit in your home should contain flashlights, extra batteries, a battery-powered radio, cash, a three-day supply of food and water for each household member (including pets), a first-aid kit, and a seven-day supply of medications.

The vehicle kit should contain a shovel, snow scraper, small broom, energy bars and water, extra hats, socks, and mittens, booster cables, emergency flares and reflectors, road salt, a first aid kit, a car charger for phones and electronics, flashlights, a battery-powered radio, extra batteries, and a sleeping bag or blanket. It is also important to keep your gas tank at least half full during winter.

Buy a carbon monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide poisoning is more prevalent in winter months due to improper ventilation of heating devices. It is recommended that you have one detector on each floor of the home.

Buy a generator. In the event of a power outage, a generator can help keep your heat and power on. This can provide peace of mind during storms, keeping your sump pump and fire alarms working, as well as preventing frozen pipes and keeping you and your family comfortable.

Winter storms are a part of life in northeast Ohio, but damage to your property doesn’t have to be. If you do experience damage to your University Heights, Euclid, or Bratenahl home or business, rest assured that SERVPRO of Beachwood and Cleveland Northeast is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

We have the training, expertise, and equipment to handle any size disaster. Give us a call at 216-464-4498 or visit our Website today!