Essential Winter Prep Tips for Your Home

New England winters bring freezing temperatures, heavy snow, and ice that can seriously damage your home. Taking time each fall to prepare your property reduces the risk of costly damage — and helps you avoid the stress of filing insurance claims in the dead of winter.

Protect Your Pipes.. Frozen and burst pipes are one of the most common and costly home insurance claims in Massachusetts. Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas like basements, attics, and crawl spaces. Know where your main water shutoff valve is located. If you're leaving for an extended period, keep your heat at a minimum of 55°F.

Clean and Inspect Gutters.. Ice dams form when heat escapes through your roof, melts snow, and then the water refreezes at the cold eaves. Clogged gutters worsen this problem. Clean your gutters after the last leaves fall and consider adding insulation in your attic to reduce heat loss.

Check Your Heating System.. Have your furnace or boiler professionally serviced before the heating season begins. Replace the filter, test your thermostat, and make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are functioning. A heating system failure in the middle of winter can cause pipes to freeze and burst.

Trim Overhanging Branches.. Heavy snow and ice accumulation on tree branches can cause them to break and fall on your roof, car, or power lines. Have an arborist trim branches that hang over your home before winter storms arrive.

Seal Drafts and Air Leaks.. Weather-stripping around doors and caulking around windows keeps cold air out and reduces your heating bill. It also prevents moisture intrusion that can lead to mold.

Review Your Homeowners Insurance.. Before winter arrives, review your homeowners policy to ensure your coverage limits are adequate. Consider whether your policy includes sewer backup coverage — a separate endorsement that many homeowners don't realize they need until it's too late.

AMD Insurance Group helps homeowners throughout Needham and the greater Boston area protect their homes. Contact us for a free homeowners insurance review.