Preparing a Home for Nebraska Winter

You know what they say about winter in Nebraska? Well, at least it only lasts six months.

Okay, that's an exaggeration, but ask any Nebraskan come about February and they'll say it certainly doesn't feel like a stretch. However long it lasts, winter weather in this state is as wild and woolly as it comes. Your home is likely your single greatest investment. Which means, if you want to get a house through this bitter season without any major events, you need to prepare in advance. And that means before Halloween, as a rule of thumb.

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You have to pay your Nebraska mortgage loans whether your home is in livable condition or not, so it is essential that you prepare for the Nebraska winter to keep it safe. What follows are several key steps you should consider to get your home ready, so you can laugh at old man winter. (Well, chuckle anyway.):

OUTSIDE

• Inspect doors & windows Weather can get in through the cracks and split seams along doors and windows. Whether that's water, melting snow, or wind. The net result of not making sure the cracks are filled and the weather stripping intact is increased heating costs and potential damage to the structural integrity of your home. And be sure to change out storm windows. If you can afford to, replace traditional windows with double-pane weather-proof windows. They lower heating and cooling costs all year long!
• Check roofing & gutters Weakened or torn shingles are an access point for rain and melting ice. And fixing a roof in the winter is not something you want to have done! Also, clean out all of your rain gutters and downspouts for the same reason. And, make sure that downspouts guide water well away from the foundation of your home.
• Inspect area surrounding your home All it takes for a tree limb to come crashing through a wall or a window is one good storm. So be sure to trim back any large limbs that could damage your home. Seal cracks in the foundation which can worsen due to ice and water expanding and contracting, which opens cracks even further. Small animals also seek shelter when winter approaches. So, unless you have a thing for small furry animals and eight-legged visitors, you should close off any entry points in the fall. And if any power lines are drooping to near your trees or roofline, contact the power company. An ice storm could bring those much lower and potentially spark a fire. If your home is ruined, you still have to pay your Nebraska mortgage loan, so better safe than sorry!
• Check that winterland equipment It's not much fun to be caught unaware when that first snow comes. Asking where the ice scraper is that no one has seen since last March isn't much fun when you can't see out the front window. And if you have a snowblower, make sure that the machine is in working condition and safe. Again, finding that it isn't when the driveway is two-feet thick with fresh fall is worse than disappointing.

INSIDE

• Have your heater inspected Winter can be brutal in Nebraska. This is not the season to evacuate your family from your home because of a furnace fire. Nor is it a good time to lose heat either due to a down furnace. But have your heater inspected by a professional. You may think you know your way around your car or your computer, but with so much at stake, it's best to leave it to a professional. Your Nebraska mortgage loan is for your single biggest investment, so you'd better protect it with the help of an expert.
• Ready your chimney & fireplace As mentioned above, small animals and birds, as well, aren't any more find of the cold than we are. So, they will also consider your chimney and great place to weather a storm. For this reason, you should screen-off the top of your chimney. And again, the worst thing you could suffer in winter is a house fire, so be sure to have a chimney sweep service your chimney and fireplace.
• Smoke & carbon monoxide detectors Home fires happen most often in winter, and so do carbon monoxide poisoning deaths. It's not enough to make sure your furnace and fireplace are winterized. Fires and the silent killer, carbon monoxide are still dangers. So, be sure to have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed in your home to the minimum specifications called for by law. Fire extinguishers in a home are a must as well. Test them to be sure they are in working order and kept in a handy place.
• Prevent frozen pipes Second to a house fire, frozen plumbing, which often leads to springing a nasty leak, is a real winter hazard. Install insulating wraps around exposed pipes, as well as pipes that run through your crawl space. Also, bleed water from air-conditioning units. And never turn off your furnace when you leave for any extended period. Lower your thermostat to the fifties, but be sure to keep your home well above freezing. Locate your water main in the event you need to shut it off in an emergency. That mortgage has to be paid whether your house is livable or not, so take every precaution to protect it.