Winter is not just a season in the United States, it’s an experience. The gentle fall of snow, the cheer of the holidays, and the coziness of a warm hearth are hallmarks of this special time. Unfortunately, the same cold that brings these joys can also wreak havoc on your assets. That is, if you’re not prepared.
At Nesbit Agencies, we believe in proactive protection beyond insurance. This means we not only help you to insure your assets but we also help ensure you know how to winterize them effectively to avoid any unwanted icy, snowy, or otherwise frozen surprises.
Winterizing Your Home
Your home is your haven in the cold, your primary sanctuary against freezing temperatures. Thus, preparing it to brave the winter months is paramount. Some steps to winterizing your home include ensuring your insulation is intact, checking weather stripping, insulating pipes, and cleaning gutters.
Ensuring your home’s insulation is intact, especially in the attic, will prevent heat loss and save you on energy bills. Checking and replacing worn-out weather stripping around doors and windows will prevent drafts and further conserve energy. Insulate pipes, especially those in unheated areas, to prevent them from freezing and bursting, and clean your gutters and downspouts to prevent ice dams. Ice dams, if you don’t know, can lead to significant harm like roof damage, water intrusion, mold and mildew growth, gutter damage, and increased energy costs.
Winterizing Your Property
Beyond the walls, your property, especially any external structures or areas like your yard, needs attention too. You should be making a special effort to prune your trees and shrubs, store your lawn equipment, and cover outdoor furniture.
Pruning any overhanging branches that might break under the weight of snow and ice mitigates the risk of damage to your property or injury to passersby. Storing summer equipment like mowers and prepping winter tools like snow blowers helps to keep them in mint condition. (Make sure to empty the fuel from any equipment that won’t be used during the winter.) If you have outdoor furniture, be sure to cover or store it to prevent weather damage.
Winterizing Your Toys
To the young and young at heart, your toys—from boats to RVs to snowmobiles—need winter care too.
If you’re a boat owner, winterizing is crucial and includes draining water from your boat, checking antifreeze levels, and covering your boat properly to prevent unnecessary exposure to the elements.
RV owners should empty the vehicle’s water tanks, ensure all appliances are off, and cover the RV to protect it from snow and ice.
If you own a snowmobile, although it is meant for winter, be sure to perform pre-winter checks. These include inspecting belts, changing the oil, and ensuring the battery is charged.
A Stitch in Time Saves Nine
Being proactive can save significant costs in the long run. It’s more than just avoiding damage; it’s about having peace of mind. Knowing your home is snug, your property is secure, and your toys are ready lets you enjoy the winter without fretting over potential damage.
Get Ahead of Winter with Nesbit Agencies
With winter’s icy grip just around the corner, it’s time to get a step ahead. At Nesbit Agencies, we stand by you not just when things go wrong but early on to help ensure they go right. While you take steps to winterize, let us ensure you have the right coverage for all your assets. Whether you’re in our home state of Minnesota, or any of the other 50 states, we’re here for you. Contact us today and let us work together for a warm, safe, and secure winter.
