NILES, Ohio (WKBN) – Winters in Northeast Ohio often bring cold, wet, and frozen conditions that are here to stay. This weather makes it difficult to protect homes from damage.
Melvin Tenney, branch manager at Handyman Supply in Niles, said now is the time to check your home so it’s protected from the elements during the winter.
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“Make sure all your shingles are tight, make sure you seal a leak if you have a leak,” he said.
Tenney said all homeowners should have their furnace inspected, checked for leaks and have your driveway sealed.
“You want to make sure your cracks are filled, the driveway is sealed — on these driveways, new and old, you want to use salt, which isn’t harmful, which is calcium,” he said.
Spending more now to winterize your home could save you thousands of dollars in the long run.
“We’ve seen burst pipes account for thousands of dollars in insurance claims per homeowner each year, which can be $5,000 or more,” said Sarah Dillingham of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Security.
Tenney said you should insulate these pipes to prevent cracking.
“You can do foam insulation or wrap, even heat tape. Depending on your circumstances, there are different costs there,” he said.
Insulation materials are available at any local hardware store – and if you decide to take a holiday trip there are a few things you can do in advance to ensure your Christmas party doesn’t end in disaster.
“Make sure you don’t turn your thermostat too low while you’re away, you should make sure it’s not set lower than 55 degrees to ensure the pipes around your house stay warmer,” Dillingham said.
