With the lingering threat of a winter storm, it is crucial for homeowners such as yourself to take the necessary precautions in order to prepare your home for a storm. An unprepared home is at risk of incurring severe structural damage. This not only means hefty repair expenses, but it also puts your safety in jeopardy.
Preparing your home for a storm is a prolonged and tedious task, one which cannot be accomplished within a single day. It is better to spread out preparations over the span of a few days and complete a few tasks each day. However, getting your home storm-ready can be difficult if you don’t know where to begin. This blog will take you over some pro tips to help you get your home ready this storm season.
How to Prepare Your Home for a Winter Storm
Ready Your Generators and Stock Up on Gas
Winters in Spokane are already cold and windy the way they are. But when a winter storm rolls in, these conditions can get much more intense. The winter storm blizzards in Spokane are often fierce enough to knock down trees which in turn take down electric poles and cables along with them, causing power outages. People across Spokane have had to live without power for as long as an entire week in the past winter storms.
To avoid facing such an inconvenient situation, stocking up on fuel and getting your generator in running condition are your best bet. In the unfortunate case that the events of the past winter storms are to repeat themselves, your generator will provide you with backup power keeping your electrical appliances and devices running until the authorities are able to get the power systems back online.
Get a Portable Sump Pump
Heavy snowfall followed by warming up of the weather will lead to a lot of water as the snow begins to melt. However, in case of a power outage, your in-home sump pump won’t be working, paving the way for basement floods that can potentially rot away the foundation of your home. Additionally, it may take several days or maybe even weeks of the authorities to be able to get power back on.
The longer the water stands in your home, the more damage it’ll do. Renting or purchasing a battery-powered sump pump will allow you to drain away the water, helping you prevent such a catastrophic situation.
Insulate Your Water Pipes and Evacuate your Sprinkler Systems
The temperatures in Spokane can drop well below the freezing temperature, even more so during winter storms. If your pipes aren’t properly insulated, the water flowing through them may freeze up. when water freezes, it surprisingly expands which can potentially rupture your water pipes leading to water leakages and house floods.
Similarly, if your sprinkler system is not evacuated before a storm rolls in, any water in the pipes will freeze up damaging the pipe leading to costly repairs.
Secure Your Doors and Windows
Even the smallest of openings can serve as an entry point for the frigid outside air to make its way into your home. This not only leads to a discomforting atmosphere within your home, but it can also be hazardous for the health of the occupants of the home. Additionally, it will lead to energy wastage, reducing the efficiency of your heaters and driving up your utility bill.
Securing the door and window gaps, if any, with weather-proof seals will prevent the outside air from entering your home, thereby keeping your home warm and toasty and its occupants comfortable and healthy.
Get Your Home Restored Today!
It is important to remember that taking all the precautionary measures in the world cannot guarantee you complete safety from a storm. There will always be the possibility of some measure falling short in fulfilling its purpose.
In the unfortunate event that your home gets damaged by a winter storm, STOP Restoration of Spokane excels in storm damage restoration. Our expertise and team of specialists allow us to repair and restore your home in the timeliest and most professional manner. So dial 509-818-7744 and let our experts help you out. For more information, click here.
