6 min read
Welcoming winter in New York often means witnessing the city transform into a winter wonderland again. However, it can also signify the start of the winter storm and blizzard season.
In milder conditions, the worst thing you may have to do is exhaust yourself from shoveling snow. Severe weather can also strike anytime. When it does, you may find yourself dealing with significant damage and requiring water restoration in Suffolk County.
Winter storms not only bring freezing temperatures but also wreak havoc on your home – a place that’s supposed to be your warm and comfortable haven. The good news is that preparing for how winter weather can affect your house and checking off this winter storm checklist can help you make it through the season safe and sound.
Ways Winter Weather Can Damage Your Home
The elements present in winter weather can affect your property in various ways.
Wind
Strong winds can effortlessly topple trees and carry branches in the air, potentially damaging your roof and other parts of your home. They can also blow dead leaves into your gutter, clogging the structure and causing melted snow or water to either remain on the roof or leak into your home.
Snow
Snow buildup can damage your roof with its weight and even cause it to collapse, requiring roof restoration in Suffolk County. On the other hand, the melted snow can also leak into your basement and start a flood there.
Low Temperatures
The cold can cause sump pumps to freeze and overwork. Once they fail due to overheating, excess water from melted snow or a winter storm can accumulate in your basement, making it susceptible to flooding.
How Homeowners Can Prepare for a Winter Storm
When dealing with potential issues during winter, taking a proactive approach is always far better than doing damage control. This checklist will help you prepare for harsh weather conditions and, hopefully, save you from extensive storm and water restoration in Suffolk County.
Winterize Your Home
- Insulate all water lines along your exterior walls to help keep your water supply from freezing.
- Caulk doors and weatherstrip windows to keep cold air out.
- Install storm windows to add another layer of insulation to your windows and provide stronger impact resistance.
- Prune tree branches that could snap and fall on your home during a winter storm.
Stock Up on Heating Resources
- Inclement weather may cut off regular fuel sources, so ensure you have sufficient heating fuel for the next few days.
- Stock up on firewood or coal ahead of time.
- Consider investing in emergency heating equipment like a wood- or coal-burning stove.
Prep Your Car for the Harsh Weather
- See a mechanic to inspect your battery, brakes, oil, ignition system, exhaust system, lights, flashing hazard lights, wipers and windshield washer fluid, antifreeze, heater, and defroster.
- Use a wintertime mixture for your windshield to keep it from freezing.
- Keep your gas tank full so that you can leave anytime in an emergency. This also prevents the fuel line from freezing.
- Keep an emergency car kit in your vehicle. It should have at least a set of tire chains, a windshield scraper, a small broom, matches stored in a waterproof container, and reflective triangles.
Protect Your Pets and Other Animals
- As much as possible, bring your pets indoors.
- For animals you cannot bring inside, find a place where they can take shelter from severe weather.
- For horses and livestock, fortify or create shelters that resist wind, snow, ice, and rain.
- Ensure a steady supply of food and non-frozen water for grazing animals.
Gather Emergency Supplies
Having adequate emergency supplies can help you and your family survive, whether you’re staying home or caught in a winter storm elsewhere. Here are some supplies your kit must have:
- Warm clothing, gloves or mittens, thick socks, water-resistant boots, and extra blankets for everyone
- At least three days’ worth of water and emergency food supplies (e.g., ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables, meat jerky, protein or fruit bars, preserved foods, and crackers)
- At least seven days’ worth of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications
- Personal hygiene items
- Battery-powered radio with extra batteries
- Maps and flashlights
- Waterproof matches
- Reflective triangles, emergency flares, or bright-colored flags
- Windshield scraper and shovel
- Tire chains
- A bag of road salt to melt ice
Common Areas That Get Damaged During a Winter Storm
Checking these parts of your home for damage after a winter storm can also help you avoid extensive issues and costly repairs.
- The Roof: Water can back up under shingles and leak into your home due to ice dams, causing severe damage to your home and necessitating professional roof restoration in Suffolk County.
- Your House’s Exterior: Snow, hailstones, and water can peel off your exterior’s paint, exposing your siding to moisture. This can ultimately lead to wood rot – and a slew of repairs.
- The Foundation: The freeze/thaw cycle that usually occurs due to low temperatures can cause cracks and major issues in the foundation.
- Your Home’s Pipes. Plumbing components not properly winterized can be susceptible to freezing and bursting, causing significant water damage inside your home.
Stay Safe, Warm, and Dry Throughout the Winter
Winter storms and their accompanying freezing temperatures and harsh conditions must never be underestimated. If a severe weather alert has been raised, there’s no time to waste preparing your home, stocking up on supplies, and ensuring everyone’s safety. As such, we hope you find this checklist helpful as you get things ready.
Once the storm has passed, it’s also a good idea to check your home for any damage as soon as it’s safe to do so. Identifying issues and hiring storm and water restoration in Suffolk County promptly can help you prevent any winter damage from compounding.
If you need burst pipe cleanup, storm recovery, flooded basement restoration, or water extraction and drying, Restoration 1 of Suffolk County is here to help. Our IICRC-certified professionals mobilize quickly to get your home back to normal, no matter its winter damage. Contact us anytime – we are always only a call away.
