As a resident of Charleston, you are likely aware of the fact that it doesn’t get super cold all that often. It is actually pretty rare. However, that isn’t to say that it never happens. It is important that you know how to accurately and safely protect your home when freezing weather hits in efforts to prevent costly damages such as busted pipes and help to protect your investment at all costs. If you prepare in the fall months you are likely to have an enjoyable winter that is warm and cozy within your home. Luckily, there are a few steps that you can take to ensure that your home is as ready as it possibly can be and preserve the value of your home.
A frigid house is certainly not a comfortable place to be. That issue can easily be combated by insulating your windows. The insulation helps to prevent the cold wind from making its way in to your home. It also has the additional benefit of lowering your electric bill as you won’t be constantly running a heater in effort to keep the chill out as the heat will be trapped in. Speaking of heating systems and not needing to use them as often, doing so will help to keep the components in the best shape possible preventing you from having to replace them on a constant basis.
If the pipes of your home are exposed to the freezing weather, you will want to ensure that they are adequately covered to help stop them from either bursting or freezing. Neither situation is great and can cause some serious issues for you. Make sure that all outdoor faucets are not turned on and that all of the standing water has been removed from them. It would be beneficial to cover the pipes that are exposed to the harsh weather and are not heated with some sort of insulation such as a very thick layer of old newspaper. It should be noted that if there is no way possible for you to heat up the area where the pipes are located to an optimal temperature, you should leave the water running just a small bit in efforts to stop freezing from occurring. This will result in your monthly water bill being a bit more costly than usual, but we can assure you that it will be much cheaper than having to replace the piping system used to supply your home with water.
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Winter weather is not exactly the best for trees that have overgrown branches. Storms can roll in producing ice and sleet that can easily weigh down a branch causing it to break rather suddenly with no warning. This can lead to your windshield being damaged, the roof of your home, and even power lines. This extensive damage can become rather dangerous, so it is best to avoid the situation as much as possible. It is recommended that you cut any branches that appear to be dead, overgrown, or hanging over your home. It would likely be best to employ the assistance of a professional to ensure that this plan goes as smoothly as possible and no one gets injured.