13 Tips to Prepare Your Home for the Colder Months in Savannah, GA

Insulating pipes is an effective way to prevent them from freezing and bursting. Inspect pipes in unheated areas like basements, attics, and garages, as well as those on exterior walls.

Use foam pipe insulation for the best results—this small investment can save you a significant amount of money in water damage repairs.

Check around your home for any cracks or openings where cold air could enter, particularly near pipes. Use caulk or insulation to seal these spots to keep the warm air in and the cold air out, reducing the risk of your pipes freezing.

If you plan on being away from home for an extended period, make sure to leave the heat on. Set the temperature no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This warmth can help prevent the interior pipes from freezing, even if you’re not home.

On extremely cold nights, let your faucets drip slightly. Allowing the water to flow, even just a trickle, can prevent pressure from building up inside the pipes. It’s the pressure from frozen water that typically leads to burst pipes.

Disconnect garden hoses and close the indoor valve to cut off and drain water from pipes connected to outdoor faucets. This reduces the chances of water freezing within these pipes and causing a burst.

Schedule a service for your heating system before the start of winter. A well-functioning furnace will not only keep your home warm but also prevent the extreme cold from freezing your pipes.

Knowing how to quickly shut off your home’s water supply is crucial in case a pipe does burst to significantly reduce the extent of water damage.

Remove leaves, twigs, and other debris from your gutters and downspouts so water can flow unobstructed. This helps prevent ice dams and water damage to your home.

Look for damaged or missing shingles on your roof and replace them as necessary. A well-maintained roof can prevent water leakage during snow and rain.

Change the direction of your ceiling fans to rotate clockwise, which pushes warm air down from the ceiling into the room.

Inspect smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries if needed. Ensure these devices are working properly to keep your family safe from winter hazards like fires and gas leaks.

Prepare an emergency kit with items such as bottled water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, blankets, and a first aid kit in case of power outages.

Install a programmable thermostat if you don’t already have one. Setting it to lower the temperature automatically at night and when you’re not home can significantly reduce heating costs.

Enjoy the winter season without worrying about repairs. Remember, prevention is always better than cure, especially when it comes to protecting your home from water damage.