TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 5, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Fall is the perfect time to protect your home against problems that can be caused by winter weather. The biggest threats are ice dams and bursting pipes, but melting snow can also lead to water damage.
The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) says taking these steps now can help you avoid costlier problems down the road.
-- Keep gutters clear of leaves and debris to help keep ice dams
from forming.
-- Ensure that drains in outdoor basement stairwells and window
wells are working.
-- Consider removing outdoor window flower boxes and other
non-essential exterior fixtures (unless permanently built to the
house with proper flashing) on which snow may accumulate and melt
against the walls.
-- Ensure that skylights and other roof openings have proper weather
stripping or gaskets around the edges to prevent snowmelt from
seeping through.
-- Have a licensed plumber install an emergency pressure release
valve in your plumbing system to protect against the increased
pressures caused by freezing pipes. (If you can't take this step,
remember to let faucets drip slowly during cold snaps.)
-- Make sure your attic floor is well insulated to minimize the
amount of heat rising from the house into the attic, but keep
combustible insulation (e.g. insulation other than fiberglass) at
least 3" from any recessed lighting fixtures, fan motors, or
other heat-producing devices.
-- Make sure attic vents are unobstructed.
-- Fit exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or wrapping to slow
heat transfer.
-- Seal cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations near water
pipes with caulking.
IBHS is a national nonprofit initiative of the insurance industry to reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses and human suffering caused by natural disasters. For more information, visit the IBHS web site, www.disastersafety.org or call toll free (866) 657-4247.
The Institute for Business & Home Safety company logo can be found at: http://media.primezone.com/prs/single/?pkgid=672