The harsh and unexpected freeze that swept across Texas in February of 2021 left many homeowners feeling helpless and unprepared.
Two million people in Texas alone were left without power, and around thirteen million were in situations requiring them to boil water for safe consumption.
Texans simply aren’t familiar with severe winter weather conditions and because of that were some of the most harshly affected by it that February. This resulted in pipe bursts in homes throughout the state and families doing whatever they could to stay warm.
This article discusses a few ways you can prepare your home for the cold months of the year and face any surprise winter storms with confidence.
Let’s begin –
1. Start by Inspecting Your Home for Weaknesses
To ensure that you are prepared for the winter months, start by creating a checklist and evaluating your home for areas of weakness that could be negatively affected by cold weather.
For Example:
- Have your heating systems serviced (HVAC, Fireplace, Chimney)
- Seal drafty windows and doors
- Winterize your air conditioner
- Inspect your roof
- Test your generator
- Stock up on winter supplies
2. Check Your Gutters
Be sure to take the time to clean out the gutters around your house before the winter weather starts to creep in. keeping your gutters clean and clear of debris build-up will help prevent ice dams from forming and damaging your roof.
3. Protect Your Home’s Pipes
Making sure your home’s pipes are protected during the winter months is critical. Busted pipes are incredibly inconvenient and are not a cheap fix, to say the least.
Tips for protecting your pipes:
- Insulate your pipes
- Keep your garage door closed if water supply lines run through it
- Let your faucets drip
- Keep your thermostat settings consistent
- Leave the heat on
Protecting your home’s pipes is one of the most critical tasks when it comes to preparing your home for the winter months, so be thorough.
4. Make Sure Your Home is Well Insulated
Insulation is a critical part of ensuring that your home is energy efficient, comfortable, and safe from harsh weather conditions.
The best way to ensure that your home is adequately insulated is to have a professional inspect your insulation as well as offer you advice and services as needed.
5. Generators & Fire Wood
If you have a generator for your home, test it to make sure it runs properly, have it serviced ahead of time if necessary, and be sure to store backup fuel.
Generators are great to have on hand if you were to lose power during the winter months of the year, but you want to make sure you have everything you need to run them safely and efficiently when the time comes.
If you have a fireplace, stocking up on firewood and keeping a few lighters handy is also a great idea. Even if you have a generator, having a fireplace prepared for use during winter storms and/or power outages is priceless.
6. Store Emergency Supplies
Last but certainly not least, storing supplies is a critical part of being prepared. Consider buying a couple of plastic storage tubs to keep in your pantry or the closest for emergency supplies.
Examples of items to store:
- Bottled water
- Non-perishable foods
- Lighters/matches
- Flashlights
- Batteries, etc.
There’s No Harm in Being Prepared
In the great state of Texas, severe winter storms, luckily, do not happen very often.
But once you’ve experienced a couple for yourself, you understand the value of being prepared just in case.
With a few simple precautions like the ones listed above, you can protect your home and keep your family comfortable all throughout the winter months.
Be proactive and enter into the winter season with confidence this year!
