Winterize the outside
Whether its snow and ice or wind and rain, you want your home’s exterior to be ready for cold weather. A little preparation may go a long way to help keep the exterior of your house in good condition for colder weather.
Install draft guards on exterior doors.
Clean gutters and downspouts in mid-fall and double-check them before winter.
Close any vents in your home that may be open for the warm weather.
Trim overhanging or dead branches.
Caulk or apply weather stripping around windows.
Keep things cozy on the inside
Make your home a cozy retreat. After you winterize the exterior of your home, here are some items to inspect on the inside:
- Replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Test the alarms to ensure they are working properly.
- Inspect your fire extinguishers to ensure they are ready for use.
- Before turning on your heating system, replace the filter and have the system professionally serviced.
- If you use a fireplace or wood-burning stove, have the chimney or flue inspected.
- Check the insulation in attics, basements, and crawl spaces.
- Maintain a comfortable interior temperature to keep pipes in the walls from freezing.
Do not let the cold get to your pipes
Freezing and bursting pipes are a common and expensive frustration to many people. Here are some to help prevent froze pipes during cold weather.
- Drain sprinkler and swimming pool supply lines.
- If you have pipes located along exterior walls, in unfinished or unheated spaces wrap the pipes with heating tape, or cover them with insulation wraps or foam.
- During severe cold times, leave all faucets dripping at a slight trickle. Leave cabinet doors open so your pipes are exposed to the warm air.
- If you end up with a frozen pipe, quickly shut off your main water supply, and call a licensed plumber to address the situation.
Contact us
It does not take much to get your home ready for cold winter weather. In the event you do have a claim, we at Hennessey, Thames and Leavitt Insurance Agency are ready to help. You can reach us by phone at 601-636-5560, by email at info-hennessey@leavitt.com or come by the office and see us at 1001 Belmont Street.Check us out on Facebook or our website www.leavitt.com/vicksburg.
