New England experienced unprecedented levels of snowfall this past winter. Homes were damaged, work was disrupted, and homeowners throughout New England were in serious need of immediate repairs – but there weren’t enough contractors, exterior home professionals, or hours in the day to keep up with the immediate needs of homeowners. Trust me – we knew and could feel the pain of every single homeowner that called about ice dams last year. It was not fun seeing all of our staff’s time quickly fill up through the next couple of weeks, meaning we couldn’t immediately stop an ice dam from wreaking havoc – much less take steps to prevent it from happening again.
As much as we want to forget last winter, we need to remember what winter can potentially bring and make sure we’re prepared for the possibility of tough winter weather.
The Farmer’s Almanac Winter Weather Prediction
The 2016 Farmer’s Almanac predicts another rough winter ahead for New England. Take a look at the image below to see how the Farmer’s Almanac is predicting weather will look across the country.
The Northeast can expect it to be snowy and bitter cold this coming winter. It’s a dire forecast and some local homeowners have been taking these winter weather predictions to heart. They’re remembering how high their energy bills were last year, the stress ice dams caused to them and their home, and they’re actively looking at the cause of these winter pains now.
Homeowners Should Prepare for Winter Now
We’ve been receiving an unprecedented number of phone calls from homeowners looking to do winter right this coming year by eliminating their drafty and non-energy efficient windows and doors, by properly insulating and ventilating their attic and roof to prevent ice dams, and more.
“As we head into fall, we always tend to get a little busier as homeowners turn their focus back to home,” said Stephanie Vanderbilt, Owner, Coastal Windows & Exteriors. “But this year is different. This year, you can actually sense the panic in homeowners’ tones. They definitely do not want to relive the ice dams, leaks, and drafts of last year.” This is why we’ve been offering free estimates on windows, roofing, siding, and doors to make this winter preparation time comfortable and convenient for our customers.
Here are some quick ways you can prepare your home for winter:
1. Fix air leaks and inadequate insulation in your attic, air leaks and a lack of insulation can lead to ice dams.
2. Look for damaged, loose or missing shingles that may leak during winter storms. Check and repair breaks in the flashing seals around vent stacks and chimneys, too.
3. If gaps between siding and window or door frames are bigger than the width of a nickel, reapply exterior caulk. If the gaps are much larger than a nickel, they may need to be replaced with more energy efficient products.
4. If your gutters are full of leaves and other outdoor surprises, water can back up against your house and damage roofing, siding and wood trim. Make sure they’re cleared and water can flow.
5. Add extensions to downspouts so that water runs at least 3 to 4 feet away from the foundation.
6. If your ceiling fan has a reverse switch, use it. Running the fan’s blades in a clockwise direction after you turn on your heat will produce an updraft and push warm air down into the room that’s risen to the ceiling (remember, hot air rises).
Want to Learn More About Preparing Your Home for Winter? Check out the…
