The Homeowner's Guide to Weathering a New England Winter

The Homeowner's Guide to WEATHERING A NEW ENGLAND WINTER THE GOLDEN RULES END CHIMNEY FIRE FIASCOS THE PROBLEM: Debris such as leaves and pine needles build up on your roof creating kindling to spark a fire. Chimney fires are often due to creosote buildup in uncleaned chimneys. • Cover the chimney with a screen spark arrester 50% 26,900 • Keep the roof clear of leaves, pine needles, and debris Of home heating fires occur in December, January, and February Home fires are caused by chimneys . Always use a metal fireplace screen with fireplaces that do not have a glass fireplace door every year! STOP ICE DAM DEBACLES THE PROBLEM: When ice builds up at the edge of a sloped roof, usualy at drains and gutters, it creates a dam-ike effect that forces water back under the roof & into your home. • Install a water- repellent membrane......: under your roof covering • Replace recessed light fixtures near the roof with alternatives 65°F $5,896 •Keep your attic well ventlated and your attic floor well insulated to minimize home heat rising Minimum temperature The average insurance that may help avoid water-freezing issues claim for water damage and freezing • Before the threat of bad winter weather, make sure to have your gutters cleared of leaves and debris AVOID HEATING HAZARDS THE PROBLEM: • Make sure to thoroughly clean heating equipment It's cold! More than 1/3 of Americans use fireplaces, wood/pellet stoves, and other fuel-burning devices to heat their homes. 32% 36% • Keep all flammable materials such as clothes & bedding far away from equipment Of home heating fires are started from space heaters Of home heating fires are started from cooking equipment - Never use your gas oven to generater home heat • Service your furnace regularly! PREVENT BURST PIPES THE PROBLEM: When water freezes in a pipe, pressure can build between the ice blockage and the closed faucet at the pipe's end, causing a pipe to burst at its weakest point. • Keep cabinet doors open to keep warm ar circulating around pipes 20% 250 GALLONS • Apply insulation sleeves or wrapping..... to exposed pipes Drain al water systems when your home will be unattended Of all insurance claims annually are due to water damage Of water is lost a day from just an 1/8' crack in your home pipes • Use caulking to seal cracks and holes in walls and foundations near water pipes Sources: http://www.restorationsos.com/education/water- damage/preparing your-home-for-winter/burst-pipes-and-water-damage-common-winter-woes.asp http://www.nlpa.org/assets/files//PDF/Latest%20estimates/LatestEstimatesHeating.pdf http://www.i.org/press_releases/its-going-to-be-a-cold-cold-winter-is-your-home-properly-winter-proofed.html http://www.csia.org/media/Statistics Chimney_Fires_ Carbon_Monoxide.aspx http://www.usfafemagow/downloads/pdf/statistics/v10i5.pdf http://www.statefarm.com/aboutus/_pressreleases/201o/winter-tips-frozen-pipes-ice-dams-fires.asp http://www.insure.com/home-insurance/water.html