Winter Storms Are on Their Way Again: Here’s How to Prepare | SERVPRO® of Eastern Rockland County

3/2/2023 (Permalink)

If winter weather should bring damage to your home or business, contact SERVPRO of Eastern Rockland County for fast, restorative solutions.

Not to steal a phrase or anything, but winter is coming. Whether you love it or dread it, cold weather is on its way back to New York again, alongside holiday parties, religious festivals, family gatherings and the prospect of a new year.

Living in Rockland County means dealing with winter’s potentially harsh and dangerous weather, so let’s run down the list of things you need to prepare as it heads your way.

Protect Your Family

Does your family know what to do in the event of an emergency? You need an emergency action plan to help everyone know what to do, where to meet and how to stay in contact during a crisis.

Take time to winterize your vehicle, whether by yourself or with the help of a mechanic. Check all major systems, as well as your battery, fluids and tires. Replace or repair anything that needs attention before you find yourself on the side of the road during a freeze, or on a slick road with bald tires.

And finally, keep your family’s emergency kits stocked up, both at home and in the car, including fresh clothes and sturdy shoes.

Protect Your Home

Frozen pipes are a serious issue in the cold clutches of winter. Avoid this source of intense water damage by letting your faucets leak during deep freezes, and insulating pipes where needed.

Check your home’s heat systems and perform any necessary repairs to avoid being left in the cold. It’s better to do a little maintenance while weather is still relatively mild than to be suddenly left without heat during an intense cold snap.

If you use any wood-burning appliances for heat or recreation, make sure furnaces and flumes are clean, and that you have proper ventilation to avoid smoke damage or inhalation.

If you notice cold air leaking indoors, check to see whether you may need to reseal your windows or add some insulation in the attic.

Protect Your Pets

Your dogs and cats aren’t made to handle cold weather, so bring them in where they can be comfortable.

Any outdoor livestock should have adequate shelter and access to non-frozen water.

Watch for Melts and Flooding

When heavy snow and thick ice melt, they can cause dangerous floods. From ice dams on your roof exploiting leaks in your roof to creeks and ponds flooding, always be careful during a seasonal thaw.

As always, stay tuned into local news outlets, and let weather apps and national agencies send you alert notifications by phone or text.

If winter weather should bring damage or flooding to your home or business, contact SERVPRO of Eastern Rockland County for fast, restorative solutions.