How to Prep Your Home For a Blizzard

#Snowmageddon2015, #snowpocalypse, #blizzardof2015whatever you want to call it, winter storm Juno is scheduled to hit seven states with potential blizzard conditions, leading to possible homeowner headaches like frozen pipes, power outages, and even blown-away shingles or siding.

Here are some of the things that can happen to your home in a blizzard, and ways to prepare for the worst.

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1. Frozen pipes

When water freezes, it expands, and this can put a lot of pressure on your pipes. If the pressure becomes too great, your pipes can break a messy and expensive issue.

You can sometimes figure out whether your pipes are frozen by turning on a faucet. If only a trickle of water comes out instead of a steady stream, they might be on their way to frozen. If this happens, keep your faucet on while applying heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad, portable space heater, or hair-dryer. Once the water pressure is restored, stop applying direct heat and keep your faucet on at a trickle.

Pipes most susceptible to freezing are those exposed to extreme cold, like water supply lines in unheated areas like a basement, attic, garage, or crawlspace, according to the American Red Cross.

Its a good idea to notch up the temperature on your thermostat a little higher than you normally would. Sure your heating bill might be a higher, but you could help keep your pipes warm and avoid a far more expensive problem in the long run. And if you have a garage, make sure your garage door is closed to keep the cold air from freezing any water supply lines.

If you want to take extra precaution, consider installing products like pipe sleeves or heat tape on any exposed water pipes, which you can buy at any hardware store like Ace or Home Depot. Think of it as a little sweater for your pipes. Even a little bit of newspaper can help with insulation.

2. Power outage

Originally posted here:
How to Prep Your Home For a Blizzard