It’s no secret that Michigan winters can be rough. Temperatures can get bitterly cold and we often get hit with some pretty strong winter storms. When a winter storm moves through the area, homeowners are often left with several inches of snow and a thick layer of ice to remove from their sidewalks and driveways. Stay ahead of the game by preparing for winter storms now.
Inspect Your Home
If you didn’t give your home’s exterior a good general inspection during the fall, it’s a very good idea to do one before the first major winter storm of the season hits. Look for things like signs of roof damage, tree branches that come close to your windows or roof, and sections of gutters and siding that have come loose. Loose roof shingles and pieces of loose siding or gutters can easily be torn off by strong winds, making your home more vulnerable to damage. Tree branches that come too close to your home can damage your roof or vinyl replacement windows if they break off during a storm.
Be Ready for Snow Removal
Don’t wait until the first signs of a major winter storm to go out and stock up on snow removal tools. Make sure your snow shovels are in good shape and that you have plenty of ice remover on hand. There tends to be a rush on these sorts of things right before a big storm, so you might have a hard time finding them in stores if you wait until the last minute.
If you have a snow blower, make sure it has plenty of fuel in it and still starts up properly. The last thing you want to discover after a major snowfall is that your snow blower isn’t working and you’ll have to shovel all that snow by hand.
Don’t Forget Your Car!
Whether you park your car in a garage or leave it parked outside, it’s best to keep your car’s gas tank above a quarter of a tank full. This will help prevent your car’s fuel line from freezing.
Stock Up On Supplies
Depending on how bad a storm is and how fast cities are about clearing roadways, you might have a hard time getting anywhere for a little while after a storm. Make sure you have enough food and water on hand to last you through a few days. More specifically, you should have a good supply of non-perishable food in case your power goes out. If you have pets or babies, don’t forget about things they’ll need!
Also, don’t forget to make sure you have lots of batteries, flashlights, blankets, and warm clothing at home so you can have light and stay warm if the power goes out. If you have a fireplace or backup power generator, keep plenty of firewood or fuel on hand. Just make sure generators are kept outside the house, at least 20 feet away from doors, windows, and vents that lead into your home.
