Often homeowners wait until it is too late to get ready for the winter season although winter comes every year and it usually is right on schedule. As a result they often suffer property damage and loss from wind, rain and snow. This is unfortunate and can be avoided with little advance preparation. Here are some tips and suggestions on how to winterize your home and get ready for winter winds, heavy rain and snow.

Wind:

Typically the winter weather brings high wind, especially during March. If you have high winds in your area you should prepare for it by removing items from your lawn and patio that could be blown away, damaged or cause injuries. This includes lawn and garden ornaments and outdoor furniture. Store them in the basement or the shed. If you have a shed, insure it is attached to the ground or have weighty items stored inside to prevent it from being blown over.

Heavy rain:

If you live near a river, creek or at the bottom of an incline and there is typically heavy rain, you need to prepare your home with a sand bag barrier. They will soak up rain or pools of water and make it less likely that your home will be flooded. This will only reduce the likelihood. If your area is flooded when a river breaks it's banks, your home will be flooded, but the use of sand bags might reduce the damage.

Snow:

If you live in a heavy snow area you must be prepared for dealing with snow removal and icy driveways and walkways to maintain access to your home. Sand or ice melt should be used to prevent slipping and falls. A bucket of sand or ice melt should be readily available. Do not over stress yourself from shoveling snow. Snow blowers have taken the place of snow shovels in most heavy snow areas and are inexpensive to purchase and maintain. Do not let the snow build up on your roof more than a couple of feet. A heavy snow load on your roof can cause structural failure on the roof.

Don’t wait until winter arrives before you get ready for it. If you do, it may be too late to effectively deal with winter problems.

See miscellaneous articles:

Animal Proof Trash Cans

Are Home Remodeling Projects Worth the Investment

Autumn DIY Home Improvement Tips

Before Buying a Home

Basic Do's and Don'ts for Home Improvement Projects

Buying Personalized Number Plates

Caulking Concrete Floor Cracks

Cleaning and Maintaining Gutters and Down Spouts