HOW TO: PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM SNOW
With the colder weather approaching, we can start to expect rain, ice, and snow. Snow can be damaging to your home if it isn’t well prepared. So, how do you properly protect your home and your family from the snow?
Property and construction expert Natalie Mitchell at HomeHow.co.uk has created this guide explaining how you can be ready for snow this winter. In this article, you will learn everything you need to know to ensure your property and your family remain safe and protected throughout the colder winter months. Take a look below to find out more on how to protect your home and be ready for the snow.
Insulate Your Home’s Roof
Did you know that you can lose up to a quarter of your home’s heat through the roof? Getting adequate loft insulation will help you keep more heat in your home and will also help keep your energy bills down. Keeping the heat inside your home is essential when snow is expected, as the outdoor temperatures will quickly plummet.
Even if your roof is already insulated, it is worth checking if your current insulation meets the recommended 250mm to 270mm depth before the snowy weather hits. Properly fitted insulation can last for up to 40 years. It usually costs roughly £285 – £425 to install loft insulation, so you can expect it to pay for itself many times across its lifespan. Plus, you will also have the benefit of saving a lot of money on your energy bills.
Clean Out Your Gutters
Your property’s gutters have a job to do – getting water away from your roof and properly flowing down the drain. If your gutters are blocked up with leaves, dirt, or other types of debris, they won’t be able to work effectively.
You can identify issues with your gutters by inspecting them. If rainwater starts running down the side of your house or if you notice some discolouration on your property walls, this is most likely a guttering issue. Most of the time, blockages are caused by twigs, leaves, moss, or bird’s nests. A build-up of water can lead to mould and dampness. With this in mind, it is important to ensure your guttering system is working effectively so rainwater can be properly drained away from your home.
When the snow from your roof begins to melt, a lot of water will need to be drained away from the space, so it is essential that your guttering system is working effectively.
Lag Your Pipes
When the weather becomes snowy and icy, this is when you are most likely to come across a burst pipe. Uninsulated pipes in colder areas of the home, such as a basement or loft, are the most likely pipes to burst.
Insulating tubes are fairly low in cost, and you can purchase them from the majority of DIY shops. Wrapping your pipes before the weather gets too cold is essential as this will prevent your pipes from freezing and will also help to prevent heat loss. You will need to make a particular effort to insulate the pipes that take hot water from your boiler or cylinder and transport the water to your hot water taps.
These pipes are usually located next to your boiler, in your airing cupboard, and under your bathroom and kitchen sinks. You don’t want to be left without any heating or hot water due to a frozen or burst pipe.
Allow Faucets to Drip
If ice and snow are predicted, it is best to turn on any faucets that are along your exterior walls and allow them to drip a little.
Leaving your faucets to drip will eliminate any pressure from building between the tap and prevent any potential ice blockages. This means even if the pipe freezes, it will be much less likely to burst.
Fix Any Exterior Cracks
Before ice or snow hits, you should take some time to inspect the exterior of your home and look for any cracks or holes. If you do notice any imperfections here, these should be dealt with before the very first frost comes along.
Fill in any imperfections with spray foam insulation and caulking to help prevent the cold air from getting inside your home or to the pipes in the walls.
Check Your Roof
If you are expecting ice and snow in your area, it is important to ensure the roof is ready to handle it. It is a good idea to get a professional roof inspection at this time. During the inspection, a professional roofer will look for things such as broken tiles and slates, chimney damage, debris and issues with your flashing.
The sooner you can deal with any roofing problems, the better, as they will usually just get worse over time. Plus, snow and ice can make these issues much worse. This is why it’s essential to try to identify and fix them now before the weather makes them worse.
Get Rid of Draughts
Snow and ice can cause very cold outdoor conditions. This can also make the inside of your home feel much colder than usual. Invest in some weather stripping to help ensure the colder air stays outside, and the warm air stays inside. Weather stripping is cheap to purchase and very easy to install, and this can even help improve your home’s heat efficiency.
The most common places for draughts include around doors and windows, vents, letterboxes, and mains supply lines. Check these areas for air leaks, and be sure to deal with any draughts quickly and accordingly.
Invest in Some Grit
It is a good idea to invest in some grit for your pathways and driveways. This will help ensure that you can drive and walk around your property without any risks of sliding over. Ice can be very dangerous, so it is best to apply some grit around the property to be on the safe side.
Use grit in combination with a snow shovel to make sure your property is safe during freezing conditions.
Consider Where You Are Parking
If possible, try to park your vehicle underneath a cover or inside a garage to help ensure that it remains safe.
If you have to park your vehicle out in the open, try to make sure it is kept away from any trees or buildings where falling clumps of snow or ice could cause damage to the vehicle.
Keep Your Home Warm
It is best to keep your heating on whenever the weather is bad. This will help to ensure your home remains warm and the water remains running through the pipes.
If you are planning to go out or go away during freezing weather, make sure you keep your heating on to ensure everything continues ticking over smoothly. Keeping the heating on at a temperature between 18 – 21 degrees Celsius will help keep your home above freezing and will ensure it remains free from damp for when you return.
Get Some Emergency Goods
Whenever snow and ice are forecast, the first thing many people do is run to the shop to grab some emergency supplies. You can avoid all of the retail rush by keeping some emergency supplies on hand at your home. Also, in the event that you get snowed in and can’t go out, these emergency supplies can be extremely helpful.
Here is a list of ideas of things to keep in your emergency supply:
- Drinking water
- Non-perishable foods
- A Torch
- Spare batteries
- Warm clothing
- A first-aid kit
- Blankets
- Candles
- Matches
Final Thoughts
By following these tips, you can ensure your home is well-prepared for the snow and ice of winter. A little preparation can go a long way in protecting your property and keeping your family safe.
Remember to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, inspect your roof for loose tiles or shingles, and clear snow from your driveway and walkways regularly. Be cautious when using snow removal equipment, and stay informed about weather conditions.
By taking these extra precautions, you can further safeguard your home and family during the winter months. Remember, a well-prepared home is a warm and safe home. Enjoy the winter season with peace of mind!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
NATALIE MITCHELL: “NatalieMitchell has worked as a property and construction expert for HomeHow for five years and has worked in the construction industry for over twenty years. Natalie continues to work on building projects while also providing expert construction and property advice to industry professionals and DIY enthusiasts.”
