HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-10-20, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1999.
Prepare for Old Man Winter
Ice, snow and wind can have
devastating consequences on the
coziest of homes. In fact, winter-
related catastrophes cost more than
$700 million in insured losses each
year, according to the Insurance
Information Institute (1.1.1.).
“It is when the leaves start to turn
and not when the snow is
beginning to fall that homeowners
need to get ready for severe cold
weather,” says Jeanne Salvatore,
I.I.I.’s director of consumer affairs.
“A little time and effort now can
prevent the heartache of burst pipes
and other winter-related disasters
later.”
The 1.1.1, suggests that
homeowners take the following
precautions:
• Clean gutters - Remove
leaves, acorns and other debris
from gutters, so melting snow and
ice can flow freely. This can
prevent ice damming - a condition
where water is unable to properly
drain through the gutters and
instead seeps into the house
causing water to drip from the
ceiling and walls.
• Trim trees and remove dead
branches - Ice, snow and wind
could cause weak trees or branches
to break, damaging your home or
car and possibly injuring someone
walking on your property.
• Check insulation - Add extra
insulation to attics, basements and
crawl spaces. If too much heat
escapes through the attic, it can
cause snow or ice to melt on the
roof. The water then refreezes
causing more snow and ice to build
up. This can result in a collapsed
roof, as well as be another cause of
ice damming. Ideally, the attic only
should be 5 to 10 degrees warmer
than the outside air. Well-insulated
basements and crawl spaces also
will help protect pipes from
freezing.
• Maintain pipes - Wrap pipes
with heating tape and insulate
unfinished rooms, like garages, that
frequently have exposed pipes.
Also, check for cracks and leaks.
Have them repaired immediately to
prevent much costlier repairs.
• Keep the house warm - The
temperature in the home should be
at least 65°F. The temperature
inside the walls where the pipes are
located substantially is colder than
the walls themselves. A
temperature lower than 65°F. will
not keep the inside walls from
freezing.
• Checking heating systems -
The proper use and maintenance of
furnaces, fireplaces and wood
burning stoves can prevent fire and
smoke damage. Have furnaces,
boilers and chimneys serviced at
least once a year.
• Make sure steps and
handrails are in good shape -
Broken stairs and banisters can
become lethal when covered with
snow and ice. Make repairs now to
prevent someone from failing and
seriously injuring themselves.
• Get to know your plumbing -
Learn how to shut off the water and
know where your pipes are located.
If your pipes do freeze, time is of
the essence. The quicker you can
shut off the water or direct your
plumber to the problem, the better
chance you have to prevent the
pipes from bursting.
• Hire a licensed contractor -
Have a professional survey your
home for any structural damage. If
damage is discovered, have it
repaired now so further damage
will not occur during the winter.
Also, find out about ways to
prevent water damage due to snow-
related flooding. Plastic coatings
for internal basement walls, sump
pumps and other methods can
prevent damage to your home and
belongings.
• Take special care if you plan
to be away from home - If you are
not going to be in your home this
winter for an extended period of
time, have the water system
drained by a professional to keep
pipes from freezing or bursting.
Also, hire someone to check on
your home on a regular basis. If
there is a problem, it can be fixed
quickly - lessening any damage.
Activity at your home also will
reduce the likelihood that it will be
burglarized. Standard homeowners
policies cover winter-related
disasters like burst pipes, ice dams
and wind damage caused by the
weight of ice or snow. Damage to
homes caused by flooding usually
is excluded from most standard
homeowner policies. Flood
insurance is available from the
National Flood Insurance Program.
Ask your insurance professional
about flood insurance, as well as
advice about winter-proofing your
home.
French doors classic design
brings elegance to home
The classic design and clean
styling of French doors give a light,
airy look to any room in your
home.
Today's French doors, are
especially popular now. Styles
include glass panes divided with
wood or brass strips, engraved
etched glass, or a single glass pane.
Whatever style you choose, the
full-length transparent panels let
more light flow in - the room
seems more open, even when doors
are closed to control noise. French
doors also are the perfect way to
divide two rooms and make both
appear larger.
You'll find French doors at your
local hardware store, building
Continued on page 23
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