As the days get shorter and temperatures get colder, it’s easy to get excited for holiday treats, family time, and cozy nights by the fire. Wintertime is pretty magical; it’s filled with an extra bit of cheer and love. However, when those temperatures drop to freezing levels, they can bring the opposite of cheer to your home and other assets.
This holiday season, from the Nesbit team to your family, we’d like to give the gift of proactive winter protection that goes beyond insurance. Of course, we’ll be there if things go wrong, but the best way to care for your assets in the cold weather is to prevent damage by winterizing them effectively. With proper winterization practices, you can ward off unwanted ice, snow, or other frozen surprises that don’t have to do with peppermint chocolate ice cream.
Where The Magic Happens: Winterizing Your Home
It’s where you go to get out of the cold; it’s where your family all feels safe—it’s your home. When you remember that your home is your sanctuary, no matter the weather outside, preparing it to thrive in the winter months is crucial. To ensure that your home is ready for whatever the snowstorms may bring, be sure to complete the following:
· Check that your insulation is intact. Proper insulation will prevent heat loss and help you save big on your energy bills. Take a close look at the insulation in your attic—it’s a common culprit of heat loss in homes.
· Take a look at your weather stripping. Are your doors and windows sealed properly? If not, your home will be drafty instead of cozy, and that’s not the goal. This is also an energy cost-saving tip!
· Insulate pipes that are at risk of freezing. Trust us, you don’t want to deal with a burst pipe!
· Clean out your gutters. Gutters that are full of leaves and other debris can cause snow and ice buildup. When ice dams form, roof damage, water intrusion, mold growth, and gutter damage could follow.
Beyond The Walls: Winterizing Your Property
Although you might be spending a bit more time inside than outdoors this season, it’s important to make sure your yard isn’t left to its own devices against the weather. If you have external structures like sheds or workshops, you’ll need to protect those as well. Don’t forget to do the following:
· Prune trees and shrubs. Overhanging branches could break under the added weight of ice and snow—they’re heavier than you think!
· Store equipment properly. You may have gotten away with keeping your lawn mower outside this summer, but when the snow comes, you’ll want all the machinery you own to be protected from water damage and rust. Be sure to drain any fuel from equipment that will be sitting for months at a time.
· Prepare snow equipment. If you need your snow blower to work overtime this winter, make sure it’s in the proper condition to do so. Give it a good clean and test it out before you need it!
· Cover or store outdoor furniture. We all know that nice outdoor furniture isn’t cheap. Furniture with fabric cushions is ripe for mold growth. We recommend storing all fabric items inside.
Keeping Things Fun: Winterizing Your Toys
We aren’t talking about the toys that’ll be under the tree or filling stockings. We’re talking about the toys that require a big investment. Everything from boats to RVs to snowmobiles will need winter care. By winterizing, not only are you protecting the funds you’ve poured into these items but you’re also protecting your ability to enjoy them for years to come.
· Don’t skimp on boat winterization. You’ll need to drain all water from your boat, check antifreeze levels, and get a proper boat cover to prevent harmful exposure to the elements. You’ll be back on the water in no time—as long as you take care of your boat in the off-season.
· Take extra care with RVs. RVs require a bit of legwork when it’s time to winterize them. Empty all water tanks, turn appliances off, and invest in a cover that protects your home-away-from-home from snow and ice damage.
· Don’t wait to get your snowmobile ready. This isn’t a toy you’ll need to put away for winter, but rather, a toy that you get to bring out of storage. Inspect the belts, change the oil, and ensure the battery is fully charged to maximize the fun you’ll have.
Get Ahead, Save More
It can feel daunting to get everything ready for winter, but being proactive now will save a lot of money and heartache in the long run. Winterizing your assets is more than just preventing damage; it’s about having peace of mind as you move through the winter season. You’ll sleep a lot more soundly if you know that your home is snug, your property is secure, and your toys are going to last. If you skip these steps, you’ll spend winter stressing instead of making memories with your family—and that’s something that can never be replaced.
Prep For Winter With Nesbit Agencies
Winter’s icy grip is just around the corner. This is your reminder to get a few steps ahead of the season. At Nesbit Agencies, we’re committed to supporting you when things go wrong, but we also want to intervene early to make sure that things go right. While you worry about winterizing, let us make sure your assets are covered if anything happens to them.
Whether you’re based here in the great (and cold!) state of Minnesota or enjoying life in any of the other 49 states, we’ve got you covered. Contact our team today and we’ll work together to make sure this winter is warm, safe, and secure.
