At Aztec Construction & Restoration, we know you’d much rather be warm and cozy in your home than dealing with a disaster. With the storms lining up in the forecast, here are some steps you can take to winterize your home:

• Clean your gutters, and flush your down spouts and drains to prevent clogging or flooding.
• Have your furnace or heating system serviced for efficiency and uninterrupted warmth.
• Sweep your chimney – debris and even critters can find there way into chimneys, so be sure it is clear before your first fire of the season.
• Check windows and doors for a breeze. Touching up caulking and investing in a weather stripping (or a DIY draft blocker) can make your home more energy efficient, and prevent invasive water and wind.
• Clear landscaping within 7 feet of your home – your trees and branches don’t want to fall, but sometimes the weather has other plans for them.
• Store all unsecured outdoor furniture and decorative items in a garage, shed, or other indoor location, to keep it from being whipped around in the wind and causing more damage.
• Wrap all exterior pipes for insulation – a frozen pipe is a one-way ticket to disaster.
• If you live in an area that floods regularly, be sure to take the time and get sand bags. Put them around garage doors and any area of your home water may come in. Investing in a sump pump could also help remove unwanted water and divert it to an area that drains efficiently.

If you have a vacation home that will be vacant through the winter months, other precautions should be taken:

• Turn off your water at the source valve, and consider draining the water from faucets, toilets, etc., to prevent frozen pipes.
• Install an automated thermostat – keep your thermostat set at 55 degrees or more to keep the home from freezing.
• Unplug all appliances to reduce risk of fire and reduce unnecessary utility charges.

If you have any other tips for winterizing your home or business, please share in the comments section. And if find yourself or a friend in need of disaster relief services, call Aztec Construction & Restoration 530-275-3327 right away, 24/7.