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Home & Garden Articles
Don't Let Frozen Pipes and Other Winter-Related Mishaps Disrupt Your Homestead
Tue 08 Dec 2009 - 15:05
Don't Let Frozen Pipes and Other Winter-Related Mishaps Disrupt Your Homestead
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=S._L._Robertson]S. L. Robertson
Protect your property with these thoughtful tips and look for other ways to keep your home free from cold-weather mishaps.
The last thing you want to deal with in your home -- new or old --is frozen pipes or other winter related mishaps! Here are helpful home safety and maintenance tips to make sure winter doesn't disrupt your year-round enjoyment of your homestead.
Be sure to use weather stripping around windows and doors -- anywhere cold air might get in (and that expensive warm air might get out).
If you are in an older home, adding new double-paned windows is a very worthwhile investment. Not only will they insulate your home in cold weather, they can be a cost-saver in hot summer months as well. They improve your property value, too and some utility companies will even help with the cost to purchase and install double pane windows.
Clear out those rain gutters. Make sure you remove wet leaves and other debris so they don't freeze (if gutters do get overloaded, icy and heavy, they could even pull right off your house).
Repair any roof leaks fast! Be sure to replace damaged or missing shingles too. Roof leaks can have far-reaching results that lead to very costly damage.
Do you have a small barn, chicken coop or outdoor dog run? Ventilate these spaces so fresh air is available; this is essential to both the animals and to anyone working in these out buildings. Put clean, correctly fitted blankets on your animals* (dogs or horses) when it gets too cold (usually below 30 degrees). *No need to blanket the chickens; they hate that.
Cut back any tree branches that could fall onto your home or out buildings if high winds or other storms blow in. Have you thought about putting up a windbreak? Those can really help keep your place warmer, and prevent property damage.
Cover any exposed pipes with insulating foam wrap. You can pick it up at most home improvement stores at a very affordable price. There are insulated bags available for hoses, too. If you need to keep hoses outdoors (for watering livestock, for example) these can offer a great deal of convenience!
Of course, adding the protection of a home security system (security lighting, house burglar alarms and motion detectors on your windows and entry doors) is a smart way to add home safety no matter what time of year. A home security system can be, quite literally, a real life saver.
Making sure your home is insulated from winter weather can save you time, money and frustration. Protect your property with these thoughtful tips and look for other ways to keep your place free from frustrating cold-weather damage.
S.L. Robertson writes about affordable home landscaping, decorating tips and [http://yourlocalsecurity.com]ADT home security for the budget-conscious home owner. She is considered an expert in the field of home safety systems. Robertson has published hundreds of articles advising consumers what to look for when considering a reliable [http://yourlocalsecurity.com]home security system and practical home and yard maintenance solutions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=S._L._Robertson http://EzineArticles.com/?Dont-Let-Frozen-Pipes-and-Other-Winter-Related-Mishaps-Disrupt-Your-Homestead&id=3388745
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