Easy ways to winterize your home before the cold weather causes any damage

ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — It’s never too early to prep for the winter months. In fact, experts say it’s better to start winterizing your house while it’s nice outside instead of when the cold weather actually strikes.

“‘That’s where I see the biggest issue with ice forming and dams was where the leaves are in there and people forget about it, and then when it starts freezing, there’s already water pooled up in there and it’s freezing,” said Ted Puzio with Southern Trust Home Services in Roanoke.

Here are some helpful hints for winterizing your home:

• Check your roof for damage, as well as your attic.
• When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the faucet — even at a trickle — helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing.
• Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals out of the reach of children.
• Remove, drain, and store uses hoses outdoors. Also, close the inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs.
• Clean your gutters so water can flow through the down spouts.

For more winter safety tips, you can check out the websites for the American Red Cross or the  CDC.