Your Property and Getting Ready for Winter

11/17/2020 (Permalink)

The cold is finally here, which means increased risk in potential damages happening within your properties. Here at SERVPRO of Broome County, Tompkins & Tioga Counties, SERVPRO of Elmira/Chemung and Watkins Glen/Schuyler Counties want to offer you some tips that can help you winterize your homes and businesses in order to minimize any damages or losses that can occur in a moment’s notice.

It’s important to professionally maintain your heating and air conditioning units throughout the year, but winter is the time to take the extra step to make sure your heating system is prepared for overdrive. Problems such as an airlock, thermostat issues, leakage, and dripping may mean the system is not running efficiently. If your property has heating ducts, check them to see if the insulation needs to be replaced. While you should be cleaning and replacing your furnace filters every three months, winter is the prime time to change those out as clogged and dirty filters can restrict airflow, resulting in the system working harder than it should.

Make sure that you test all your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors around the property. Regularly replacing batteries for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is a good practice for winter preparedness.

Drain outside faucets. They are completely unprotected from the elements and can freeze over the winter which could split the water line well inside the property – flooding a basement. Not to mention the potential of extreme leaks occurring. Frozen pipes that burst are one of the biggest cause of property loss and damage during the winter.

Check the trees surrounding your property, and make sure that they are healthy so the possibility of them falling on a structure is minimized. Trim the branches close to the siding and windows so there are no ice-covered branches near them.

Clean the gutters and ensure that the roof is in a good condition in case it has to handle heavy snowfall.

Severe winter weather can lead to property damage, injury, and possible business closure. At SERVPRO of Broome County, Tompkins & Tioga Counties and SERVPRO of Elmira/Chemung and Watkins Glen/Schuyler Counties, were here to make sure that you are prepared and in good hands, through the rain, snow, and sun, 24/7! Give us a call at 607-722-2262 for free estimates and other professional services.