Vernon Hills Residents: Is Your Property Ready for Winter?

11/20/2017 (Permalink)

Cold weather is approaching, and it’s important to prepare your home or business for the winter months. Freezing temperatures can cause frozen pipes. Heavy rains with improper drainage can force water back into your home or business. Snow and ice sitting on top of full gutters can force water into your attic as the sun and temperature fluctuations cause the snow and ice to melt. Here are some proactive measures to prepare your home or business for the winter:
• Inspect your roof, gutters, and downspouts. It’s a good idea to check your roof after every storm or heavy rain event. If you haven’t done that yet, now is the time to inspect for any roof damage or potential hazards that can keep standing water on your roof. Avoid ice damming this winter by cleaning your gutters from leaves and other debris. Also, double check that your downspout is directed away from your building or home to avoid water being forced at your home or business.
• Walk your property to look for any obstacles that could cause personal injury such as fallen branches. While you are walking the exterior of your residence or business also check for proper drainage.
• Disconnect your garden hose and store away this winter to avoid freezing your hose bib (or sillcock). This will help avoid a flooded basement this coming spring when you go to use your hose for the first time.
• Install mats or non-slip surfaces to avoid slips this winter.
• If you own a home or business, let SERVPRO of Gurnee & SERVPRO of Libertyville/N. Chicago City/Lake Bluff set up your building with a no cost assessment called an Emergency Ready Profile. This provides your business with a plan to get back in operation should disaster occur.
When winter weather arrives, SERVPRO of Gurnee & SERVPRO of Libertyville/N. Chicago City/Lake Bluff wants you to be prepared. If the unexpected frozen pipe, ice damming, or water in your basement happens to your Vernon Hills home or business, call us 24/7 365 days a year at 847-557-1080.