Winterizing Your Home in Horry County

Winter is a magical time for many. For others, it is a period of problems. The ensuing snowfall, dropping temperatures, and ice-covered roads make for one emergency after another. This winter, regardless of where you call home, consider winterizing your home to prepare for severe weather.

Here in Horry County, it’s not uncommon for a blizzard to strike at a moment’s notice, for temperatures to drop to extreme levels, or for the snow to bury our vehicles for the day. Such extreme weather can knock out power, freeze your plumbing systems, and lead to extensive water damage. Winterize today so that you can rest easy tomorrow!

Winterize Your Home

Thankfully, Horry County Governmentis prepared. Freezing homes and frozen pipes are all too common in the area, so the local government has gathered extensive information on how to properly winterize your home. Their experience paired with our own should help protect your home from the worst winter has to offer.

• By insulating your walls and attic, using caulk and weather-stripping, you can extend the lifespan of your home and heating system this winter. Furthermore, consider installing storm windows or covering each window with plastic to prevent heat loss.
• If you have exterior structures, such as a shed or barn, consider winterizing these as well.
• On the roof, be sure to clear your rain gutters of accumulated debris. Promptly repair roof leaks and trim low-hanging tree branches.
• Maintain your home’s heating system and chimney by scheduling annual inspections, thorough cleanings, and preventative maintenance.
• Your whole family should know where the main water shutoff valve is located in case of a burst pipe. Shutting off the water to your home can mitigate water damage and save you a lot of money over time.
• If you have noticeable air leaks around your exterior plumbing pipes, use blow-in insulation or caulk to seal the air leaks and prevent frozen pipes.

Additional Winterization Tips

Taking steps to winterize your home and plumbing system can eliminate much of the concern around water damage and frozen pipes. Here are a few more additional tips:

• Furnace Filters – Your home’s furnace requires annual attention and maintenance care. Your furnace filter is one such component that must be swapped out annually. A dirty air filter will lead to lower efficiency and provide adequate heating to your entire home and plumbing system.
• Water Heater – Most conventional water heaters are set to 140 degrees Fahrenheit by the installation company. You don’t often need that amount of steam or heat. Instead, consider turning the water heater down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Doing so would reduce your heating costs by up to 10 percent.
• Drafts – A draft can waste nearly 30 percent of your heating and cooling energy use. Consider adding weather stripping to your home’s windows and doors to reduce heat loss.

If your home has suffered from water damage or frozen pipes, call Restoration 1 of Horry County at (843) 285-6650. We provide exceptional restoration servicesto homeowners in need of winterization and more!

Jake Gervin is the president of Restoration 1 of Horry County. Jake and his team of professionals are all certified by the IICRC and have years of experience in home and commercial restoration.