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- Clean out your gutters.<\/strong> Leaves, twigs, and other debris can impede water flow and may facilitate ice dam formation in extreme weather. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Install gutter guards.<\/strong> If you have mature trees close to your home, gutter guards can save you the trouble of the inevitable buildup caused by falling leaves.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Prune trees and remove dead branches. <\/strong>Not only is late fall pruning healthy for your plant material, but removing large, damaged branches will ensure they don’t end up falling on your home.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Turn off outside water spigots<\/strong>. Consider installing a freeze-proof fixture if you don’t have one already. Do it yourself<\/a>, or hire a plumber to do it for you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Repair any damage to exterior steps.<\/strong> Check for loose mortar, caulking, grout, and cracked surfaces. Keep steps clear during ice and snow events.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Inspect the exterior for leaks around doors and windows.<\/strong> Caulk will deteriorate over time, allowing water to enter and freeze. Remove and replace damaged caulk. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Winterize outdoor water systems.<\/strong> If you have a swimming pool, hot tub, irrigation system, or other exterior water feature, winterize them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Indoor Winter Home Preparation Tips <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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- Insulate your attic, basement, and crawl space.<\/strong> A well-insulated attic can help prevent the formation of ice dams. Insulated basements and crawlspaces help keep pipes from freezing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Consider investing in a backup power source. <\/strong>Continuous power will not only help you stay warm, but it can also prevent frozen pipes. A portable power generator will do the job.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Stay current on routine maintenance of your HVAC system.<\/strong> Regular service by your local professional will reduce the chance of a system failure when you need it the most.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Check pipes for cracks, leaks, and loose fittings.<\/strong> Take note of what you find, make the repairs yourself, or call your plumber to do the job.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Ask your plumber about installing an emergency pressure relief valve.<\/strong> It can protect your plumbing system from pressure from frozen pipes and may prevent them from bursting. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Move combustibles away from heat sources.<\/strong> This is always good practice, but especially when temperature causes increased use of fireplaces, wood stoves, and space heaters. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Understand your plumbing system.<\/strong> Learn about the general layout of your plumbing system and know where the main shutoff valve is located. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Check your homeowner’s insurance coverage. <\/strong>Consider adding sewer backup insurance. If raw sewage backs up in your home, it will be expensive to repair. The added coverage will be worth it. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/lanham-md-puroclean-restoration-services-new\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/664\/2024\/01\/fireplace.jpeg\")
A key winter home preparation tip: avoid placing flammable objects near your fireplace.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n How to Minimize Damage During Freezes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If a cold blast arrives before you have time to complete your preparations, don’t panic. Here are some tips for keeping potential damage from spiraling out of control:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Heat your house to a minimum of 65 degrees.<\/strong> Since the temperature inside the walls is considerably lower, this will help ensure it stays above freezing. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Make sure you know the location of the main water shutoff valve.<\/strong> Although you might have completed this task, double-check when temperatures drop below freezing. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Insulate pipes in unheated areas.<\/strong> If you have an unheated basement or a shop sink in the garage, wrap those pipes with insulation tape.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Open cabinet and vanity doors to allow warmer air to circulate pipes.<\/strong> You can use newspaper or old towels to provide a protective layer on indoor pipes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Open all hot and cold water faucets and let them drip slowly.<\/strong> Keeping water flowing slowly through the pipes can help prevent freezing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Keep your fireplace flue and garage doors closed when not in use. <\/strong>This will help keep your home’s indoor temperature as warm as possible.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Enlist the help of friends. <\/strong>If you plan to be away during a freeze, ask a neighbor to check the interior and exterior of your home regularly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Keep sidewalks and steps free of snow and ice.<\/strong> Make sure your snow shovels are in good working order. Purchase ice melt for hard surfaces and keep it handy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Check your gutters for ice dams regularly during a freeze and melt cycle. <\/strong>Use a rake to dislodge snow from the roof’s edge. Learn how to remove ice dams safely<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- During a heavy snow or ice storm, check trees for newly damaged branches and remove them before they fall.<\/strong> Even a healthy limb can buckle under the weight of ice buildup.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- If your pipes freeze, <\/strong>try to thaw them immediately<\/strong><\/a> or call a plumber for help. <\/strong>You can try a hair dryer, heat lamp, or heating pad. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- If you experience a burst pipe, turn off the main shutoff valve first.<\/strong> Then, clean up any standing water and call a plumber to repair the pipe.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If you experience a burst pipe and water damage affects the surrounding area (such as carpet, flooring, drywall, or ceilings), contact a water restoration professional as soon as possible. They will thoroughly dry the affected area to avoid mold growth and remove damaged materials before repairs begin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These tips can help you be prepared and know how to handle threats to your home from a severe freeze. Even if this winter is another mild one, you’ll rest assured knowing that you can handle whatever it might bring!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Property Damage Restoration, PuroClean Restoration Services is the One to Call! <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Have peace of mind this winter <\/a>with PuroClean Restoration Services in Lanham! Our dedicated team is at your service 24\/7, offering prompt and reliable property damage restoration<\/a>. When winter throws challenges your way, we’re here to ensure your safety and restore your property to its pre-loss condition. Don’t let unexpected damage impact your home or business; our skilled experts will assist you when you need us most. Stay safe, secure, and worry-free with our comprehensive restoration services. Please get in touch with us at (301) 277-2755<\/a> today!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check out more topics in our blog:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Safe and Sound for the Season: Essential Holiday Safety Tips<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Expert Tips for Cleaning and Shining Stainless Steel Appliances<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How to Prevent Water Damage: Essential Tips for Homeowners<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How to Deep Clean Your Shower: A Step-by-Step Guide<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tips For A Safe Holiday Season<\/a>
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Are you prepared for a severe winter that includes below-average temperatures? While last winter was relatively mild, there’s no guarantee this one will be the same. Although you can’t control<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":659,"featured_media":19251,"template":"","blog-category":[],"class_list":["post-19250","blog","type-blog","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/lanham-md-puroclean-restoration-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/19250","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/lanham-md-puroclean-restoration-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/lanham-md-puroclean-restoration-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/blog"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/lanham-md-puroclean-restoration-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/659"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/lanham-md-puroclean-restoration-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/19250\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/lanham-md-puroclean-restoration-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19251"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/lanham-md-puroclean-restoration-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19250"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"blog-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/lanham-md-puroclean-restoration-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog-category?post=19250"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
- Expert Tips for Cleaning and Shining Stainless Steel Appliances<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Make sure you know the location of the main water shutoff valve.<\/strong> Although you might have completed this task, double-check when temperatures drop below freezing. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Consider investing in a backup power source. <\/strong>Continuous power will not only help you stay warm, but it can also prevent frozen pipes. A portable power generator will do the job.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Install gutter guards.<\/strong> If you have mature trees close to your home, gutter guards can save you the trouble of the inevitable buildup caused by falling leaves.<\/li>\n\n\n\n