El Nino is Back! 10 Ways to Prep Your Home

1. Look Up at the Roof

Most roofs are built to support the weight of two feet of snow. Before snowy weather hits this winter, head outside and inspect your roof from the ground for warning signs of damage, sagging and aging. If you see anything, call a roofing professional immediately so problems don’t arise once snow falls.

Once winter weather hits: Do a second inspection. This time, look for any spots that have snow build-up or high snowdrifts. Also, look for any sagging areas, which is the most obvious indicator that there is too much weight on your roof.

2. Stock Up on Salt for Your Walkways

One of the most important things you can buy this winter is salt for your walkway – an icy sidewalk is a disaster waiting to happen! You can purchase ice-melting rock salt at any home improvement store for around $15 a bag. Pet-friendly options are also available for about $20 a bag. Tip: If you have a long walkway, you can make your salt supply last longer by mixing it at a 1-1 ratio with playground sand.

Once winter weather hits: If possible, spread salt before the snow hits, because it will prevent ice from forming. If the snow sneaks up on you, shovel your walkway ASAP and then spread ample amounts of salt. Salt lowers the freezing point of water and works in temperatures above 12 degrees F to melt snow and ice.

3. Give Your Gutters Some Love

When it snows, your gutters will be filled with snow. That’s unavoidable. What is avoidable, however, are problems associated with ice dams in gutters. The clearer your gutters are now, the better you’ll fare come snowmageddon. That means clearing the gutters of all leaves, gook, dirt and debris from your gutters by hand.

Once winter weather hits: Regularly inspect your gutters to ensure that there is not an ice dam, or ridge of ice stopping the flow of your gutter. Ice dams can cause damage to your roof, walls, ceiling and insulation. If you do spot an ice dam you can remove it manually, or try the following trick: For a short-term fix, fill a pantyhose leg with ice melt (available at any hardware store) and knot it. Lay the panty hose on your roof so that it crosses the ice dam and then let the salt do its thing. Eventually, it will melt through the ice and create a channel for water to escape (this may take several days). Remember: This is only a short-term solution! To permanently repair any roof damage, and prevent ice dams in the future, contact a professional.

4. Prevent Burst Pipes

Before snow hits, take the time to find your water shut-off valve and familiarize yourself with it so you can quickly turn your water off if a pipe breaks. As soon as the temperature is expected to dip below 20 degrees, let any high-risk faucets drip. What counts as high risk? Any faucets that are fed by a pipe that has frozen in the past, or by a pipe that runs near an outside wall. Dripping relieves pressure, which can prevent a break. If your sink has separate hot and cold faucets, let both of them drip. If there’s just one faucet, set it to medium so the hot and cold lines are both activated.

Once winter weather hits: If your pipes are in cabinets (e.g. under a sink), it’s a good idea to keep interior cupboard doors open during cold spells to let the warm air circulate around the pipes. This is especially important if the water pipes touch an exterior wall.

Have a frozen pipe? If you turn on a faucet and no water comes out, your pipe is likely frozen. Keep the faucet open, because the pipe will still need pressure relief. If you can see the frozen area (which will generally have frost on it), you can use an electric hair dryer to thaw the pipe. Important: Don’t use an open flame! This will damage the pipe and may even start a fire.

5. Stock Up on Food

When storms hit, it can be difficult to get to the store. We’re not suggesting stocking up on perishables, because crazy weather may not hit until May (looking at you, Colorado), but it will help if there’s something edible in your pantry when you’re stuck because of weather.

Take a trip to Costco or Sam’s Club and stock up on non-perishable items like canned soup, vegetables, powdered food, oatmeal, rice, pasta and quinoa. Also, don’t forget bottled water! How much? A good rule of thumb is to have enough food on hand to feed your family for a week. If you’re stressed out just thinking about storing this much food, check out these tips before your trip to the store.

Once winter weather hits: If you can, walk to the store to buy perishables goods like milk and eggs. If you’re stuck at home, that’s okay! You’ll have plenty of food to feed your family until you’re able to get out of the house.

6. Inspect Your Furnace

What’s worse than being trapped at home during a snowstorm? Being trapped at home during a snowstorm with no heat. Even worse? Being trapped at home with dangerous (and odorless) carbon monoxide. Yikes!

To prevent any problems, call an HVAC technician right now to schedule an appointment. They’ll go over this checklist and make sure your furnace is ready for freezing temperatures and is safely going to keep your family warm.

Once winter weather hits: Take a look at your furnace to ensure that nothing flammable like acetone, alcohol, paint thinner, spray paint, spray adhesives, gasoline additives, engine cleaners, WD-40, cleaning fluids and spot removers is stored anywhere near your furnace. Also, depending on the type of furnace you have, it’s probably a good idea to change your furnace filter.

7. Winterize Your Garden

Sadly, not much in your garden will survive the winter. But, you can make moves now to prepare the garden to be its best when warm weather comes back around. Take a sweep through your garden and remove weeds and diseased leaves. If you’re planting bulbs for your spring garden, the best time to plant them is right before you’re hit with the first hard frost. Plant your bulbs according to their directions, and you’ll have a beautiful garden when spring arrives.

If you have any annuals: Annuals or other non-hardy bulbs like dahlias or gladiolus still in your garden, remove them from the ground and dispose of them. They won’t be able to live through the cold winter, and after they die they may spread diseases.

If you have perennials: It’s important to add a 4-6 inch layer of mulch to your garden now to protect your perennial plants during the winter months. The best time to do this is right after the first hard frost because your perennials will be dormant by then. This new layer of mulch will help your garden maintain a consistent temperature during the cold season.

Once winter weather hits: Stay inside where it’s warm! If you’ve taken the time to prepare your garden, it will be waiting for you when spring is spring.

8. Prepare for a Long Power Outage

Winter storms often mean extended power outages, because heavy snow messes with the electrical wiring. To prepare, take the time to find and inspect your electrical panel now, so it’s easy to find when the power does go out. Here’s a step-by-step guide for the hunt and inspection. Also, make sure you have fresh batteries in your flashlights, and that the flashlights are easily accessible. We recommend placing a few candles in heavily trafficked rooms with matches or a lighter right next to the candles. Finally, have an empty cooler handy.

Once winter weather hits: If the power doesn’t go out, you’ll still enjoy the candles. If it does, the first thing you’ll need to do is remove food that may spoil from the refrigerator and freezer. Fortunately, you’ll have a natural freezer right outside of your door! Take advantage of this by filling the empty cooler with food and simply placing it outside. Then, keep your fridge door closed to keep it as cold as possible. Relax, light candles and play cards. Enjoy the respite from electronics.

9. Prepare Your Contractor List

If a winter storm damages your home, the last thing you want to worry about is scrambling to find a decent contractor. Instead, take the time now to put together an A-Team list, so you’re ready in case something does go wrong. Follow these steps to build an awesome contractor list and anticipate any potential problems. Once it’s prepared, put it somewhere easily accessible (like a note on your phone, an Evernote or an old-school note on the fridge.)

Once winter weather hits: Cross your fingers that you won’t need the list! But, if you do, it will be ready for you.

10. Anticipate Your Pet’s Needs

While you’re preparing for your family’s safety and comfort during a winter storm, don’t forget about Fido! Take a week and track everything that you need for your pet. How much food does he or she go through in a week? What about medications? Make sure that you have plenty of everything to keep your pet healthy.

Next, make sure your pets’ tags are up-to-date. Snowstorms can be disorienting for pets when they’re outside, so make sure that they’re able to find their way back home if they’re lost.

Once needs are taken care of, think about what your pet will need to stay sane if you’re locked up for a week. Do they love toys? Cat nip? Bones? Make sure you have plenty of pet-friendly things around to endure a week inside.

Once winter weather hits: Follow this rule of thumb – if it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your pet. Never leave a pet alone outside during a snowstorm. If they must go outside to potty, stay with them the entire time. When you can’t endure the cold anymore, neither can your pet. When you get back inside, take the time to clean of your dog’s paws, because snow-melting snow can be very painful to dogs’ feet.

If you’re able to drive, know that many homeless or outdoor cats sleep underneath cars for shelter. Bang loudly on your car’s hood before you start it up to wake up any sleeping cats.

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