As the temperature begins to drop in Alabama, now is time to begin winterizing your home to ensure that it remains in prime condition throughout the upcoming chilly months. Every year, we get a spike in calls relating to busted pipes, fires and other misfortunes via homeowners insurance policies, and usually such disasters would have been avoided, if the home had been inspected and properly prepped for the freezing temperatures.
We want to help you avoid any homeowner’s insurance claims this winter, so take a minute to look over these five tips for winterizing your home:
1. Inspect the Furnace:
– Call an HVAC professional to inspect your furnace and clean ducts.
– Stock up on furnace filters and change them monthly.
– Remove all flammable material from the area surrounding your furnace.
2. Get Your Fireplace Ready:
– Cap or screen the top of the chimney to keep out rodents and bFiveirds.
– Store firewood in a dry place away from the exterior of your home.
– Inspect the fireplace damper for proper opening and closing.
3. Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors:
– The state of Alabama requires electrically powered smoke alarms outside sleeping areas and in each sleeping room, in addition to a smoke alarm on each floor of the structure. For more information, click here.
– Install a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace and/or water heater.
– Buy a fire extinguisher or replace an extinguisher older than 10 years.
4. Check Exterior, Doors and Windows:
– Inspect and seal any exterior crevice cracks and exposed entry points around pipes.
– Use weather-stripping around doors to prevent cold air from entering the home and caulk windows.
5. Prevent Plumbing Freezes:
– If you go on vacation, leave the heat on, set to at least 55 degrees.
– Insulate exposed plumping pipes.
– Drain all garden hoses.
For more information on winterizing your home, give one of the Starke agents a call with any questions you may have.
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