4 Fantastic Ways to Winterize Your Home in Minnesota
By Admin | October 21, 2022
Minnesota residents brave some of the coldest temps in the U.S. If you live here, you’re already made of heartier stock than most. While you may be willing to endure the cold when you’re out and about, the last thing you want to do is come home to a cold house.
Getting your home ready for winter, or “winterizing” it, helps your family stay cozy, comfy, and can even reduce energy bills. Perhaps most importantly, winterizing may protect your home from harsh winter damage and expensive repairs.
Whether you’re a snowbird prepping to leave for the winter or a native used to frigid temps, here are 4 ways to winterize your home in Minnesota.
1) Clean Downspouts and Gutters
Between fallen autumn leaves and crafty birds building nests, your home’s gutters and downspouts tend to get clogged before winter. That’s why, before the weather turns bad, you should clean out the debris sitting in your gutters and downspouts. Otherwise, leaves and other items may block water flow.
During winter, backed-up water will freeze and eventually seep into your house when it melts. When water seeps into your home, you could be looking at mold growth and even damage to your foundation. While clearing out debris, make sure your downspouts are directing water away from your home’s foundation – at least 10 feet from the house.
2) Inspect Your Roof for Worn-Out Shingles
Your home’s roof is your family’s first line of defense against harsh winter weather. With time, snow, wind, rain, and other conditions can weaken your roof’s shingles, limiting your defenses. When your shingles are loose or missing, you’ll be exposed to cold winter drafts, leaks, and other issues that raise your electric bill and put your family at risk.
UNGERMAN Pro Tip: It’s best to play it safe and hire a licensed professional to inspect your roof. The last thing you want is a trip to the emergency room on top of a higher power bill.
3) Seal Exterior Cracks and Interior Leaks
Sealing the cracks around your house and the doors and windows around your home is a great way to stop air leaks. Doing so will keep your family warm and cozy this winter and also help lower monthly heating costs. To find drafts and leaks outside, simply walk around your home’s exterior and look for cracks along window trim, walls, and near your foundation. If you find cracks, seal them up with caulk.
To find air leaks inside, walk up to a doorframe, window, and electrical outlet in your home. Use your hand to feel for any cool drafts coming inside. Seal any drafty areas with tacky rope or a draft guard. Make sure your sealing solution has weather-resistant caulking on the outside.
4) Drain & Insulate Your Pipes
If there’s one sentence that haunts every homeowner, it’s “My pipes have burst.” In Minnesota, winter nights can cause a very costly problem: frozen pipes. When water sits in an outdoor spigot, hose, or faucet in the winter, it freezes. When temps rise, the frozen water lines burst, causing a chaotic scene that can soak your whole home, resulting in extensive damage.
To prevent frozen pipes, first ensure you shut off any faucets and remove any hoses around your house. Next, turn off the water valve that controls your outside faucets. From there, head outside and drain your outdoor water lines so the remaining water won’t freeze. Once you’re done, your pipes can expand without breaking, and you’ve prevented a potential catastrophe. For extra protection, insulate your pipes with a foam rubber sleeve or fiberglass.
UNGERMAN Pro Tip: If frozen water causes your pipes to burst, call UNGERMAN immediately. Our emergency cleanup and repair team is available 24/7 to provide around-the-clock for the most urgent property damage situations.
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We will provide accurate estimates, clear communication, and efficient completion of necessary mitigation and repairs in order to complete projects successfully. Through this process, we will build a solid relationship between the customer, the insurance company, and UNGERMAN.