February 11, 2014
Oklahoma’s weather has been especially cold this winter. And, as a result, we’ve seen more costly home repairs than usual.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Here are some simple ways to prevent most of the problems we’ve seen.
Clean out your gutters
Although we don’t get a lot of precipitation in the Lawton area during the winter, when we do it can really cause problems for homeowners who aren’t prepared.
Clogged gutters means rain can back up in the gutter and then run under your shingles, causing water damage to your home. Likewise, when we do get snow, a clogged gutter can cause ice dams, which has a similar disastrous effect on your roof, as reported by KSWO.
Take care of your pipes
By far, one of the most common calls we’ve received recently is for help with frozen pipes. If you’re not careful, frozen pipes can result in burst pipes, which can mean thousands of dollars in water damage to your home.
If you want to avoid frozen pipes, check out this article we wrote last year on Preventing Frozen Pipes.
Mind your heating system
Another common problem caused by this cold winter weather is a dead furnace or heater. Many people don’t think about their home heating system unless it isn’t working properly. But by this time, it might already be too late.
The U.S. Department of Energy, the EPA, heating manufacturers, and local utility companies all recommend getting your furnace or heating system tuned up once a year.
Usually, it’s good to get it done in the fall before winter starts, but now is better than never. Doing so can improve comfort, prevent costly and untimely breakdowns, extend equipment life, save energy dollars, and detect a potential hazardous situation such carbon monoxide poisoning.
Even if your heater has made it through the big cold snaps we already had, you should get it tuned up. Because Oklahoma is likely to have more cold weather before winter is over.
And the last thing you want is to be without heat during the coldest days of the year.
Pippin Brothers is the leading plumbing, heating and air conditioning company in and around the Lawton, Oklahoma area. For more information on any of our services, or to schedule an appointment, contact us today.
