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Winter officially begins on December 21, and now is the time for homeowners to perform one last check around their houses before cold and snowy weather sets in. Your home check will help keep everyone safe and warm inside as well as can save you money for utilities and repairs.

Water Pipes
Perhaps the biggest financial risk homes face during the winter is a pipe burst, according to Consumer Reports. When that happens, water can spill into the walls and cause quite a bit of damage long before a problem is even detected. It’s a very good idea for homeowners to assess where they stand with their water pipes.

Pipes that run along the outside of a home or along the ceiling in the basement and are uninsulated could be at risk. Wrapping them in an inexpensive specialized material or even just towels can help protect them.

It’s also a good idea to keep your home at 65 degrees F. or more to avoid large temperature fluctuations that could cause a pipe to burst. Know where your home’s water shutoff is located so you can quickly shut off water in an emergency.

Other Insulations
When insulating pipes, it’s also important for homeowners to make sure they aren’t losing too much heat in their homes from uninsulated attics or other spaces. Since heat rises you may lose a lot more heated air than expected through ceilings. When attics are properly insulated along floors they not only help with heat savings, but its warmth also prevents potential (and undetected) ice dams from forming on the roof.

Up on the Roof
When thinking about your roof, it’s a good idea to make sure all the shingles are in good shape and all gutters are cleared of fallen leaves and other debris that can lead to backups and potential ice dams. A quick trip up a ladder might be all it takes to identify problem areas before they become major issues.

Homeowners should also go around the exterior of their homes and look for any cracks and holes along the edges of window frames and doorways. If you find cracks, be sure to fill them with caulk which will help keep the heated air inside the home. While any individual crack or hole is going to be small, some experts estimate that the collective area of all of them across an entire house can amount to the size of an open window.

Need help with the winter upkeep of your home? Contact Sibcy Cline Home Services. They can recommend vetted service providers to you.

Brought to you by HMS Home Warranty. HMS is an industry leader with over 30 years of creating success for clients and providing peace of mind for customers.  To learn more click www.hmsnational.com.