Snowstorms have been hitting the country hard this year, which might leave people struggling to handle some of the problems that they cause. If you’re not careful then the snow can really leave you in a financial bind. On top of that, it can add some major inconveniences to your day. There are a few things you can do to help you enjoy the snow, without having to spend a fortune on items to help you handle the problems that it can bring. These ten ideas can help you deal with common problems, prevent potential damage, and make the snow season a little less of a burden.
1. Check Your Tire Pressure
When it comes to the snow season, people tend to go and get fuel and other necessities before the snow strikes. The best thing you can do when you go to a gas station is to check the pressure in your tires. If you’re on the low side, then add some air to help keep you going. When it snows, the cold weather can actually make your tire pressure lower in some cases. However, if you already have low pressure and you’re driving around, then there is going to be less traction in the snow. This can cause you to slip and slide which is incredibly dangerous. So, if you know you’re going to have to go out in the icy weather, make sure your tire pressure is where it needs to be.
2. Add Rugs/Towels to Entry Points
If you have kids, pets, or you know you’re going to go in and out of the house a lot, then add some rugs or towels to the entry points in your home. This will help you to combat some of the moisture that is going to trek into the home every time you enter. If you’re not walking on pure snow anymore then there is a good chance that a lot of mud is going to be trekked in too. Both water and mud aren’t a whole lot of fun to clean up and might even leave a mildew scent if you don’t clean it up well enough. So, stop the problem in its tracks and simply put a halt to the moisture before it hits your carpet. Of course, having these items down might also allow you to prevent slipping, which is another major issue that can cause a lot of trauma on top of money for medical bills.
3. Cooking Spray
When it comes to snow, cooking spray is going to be your best friend. If you’re struggling to get your sidewalks shoveled, then spray on some cooking spray and the snow will glide right off of the shovel. This will not only allow you to easily get the shoveling finished quickly and efficiently, but it will save you some money as you won’t have to purchase quick solutions to help you with the shoveling. Other than that, you may find that keeping the snow at bay in this manner can help protect visitors or anyone passing on your sidewalks as you won’t have to worry about ice build up as badly, so salting or adding litter won’t be a fruitless act.
4. Check Your Gutters
It’s easy to forget about the gutters in the wintertime. However, you should always make sure that your gutters are clean, so you don’t have to worry about dangerous repercussions. For instance, if your gutters are full, then snow is going to be more likely to stay on your roof for a longer period of time. Instead of gliding down, the snow will add weight to the roof, which could cause damage to the home. You also don’t want your gutters to be filled with items that could freeze and add even more weight to your gutters. This could cause your gutters to come loose or even fall, which will cost you a lot of money to replace. So, if you can, at least check out your gutter’s situation before a snowstorm arrives.
5. Cover Car
In an ideal world, you won’t have to go anywhere during or after a snowstorm. If this is the case, then you are definitely going to want to cover your car as much as you can. Ideally, you can park in a garage or under an awning to protect your vehicle. If this isn’t an option, then you might consider investing in a car cover. This will keep damage from the ice off of your vehicle, which can save you a lot of money. It can also make it easier for you to leave the home after a snowstorm as you won’t have to scrape ice off of the windshield or worry about your car door being iced shut. If this isn’t an option either, then you can place a sheet over the windshield to guard against the ice. Another option is to put socks over the windshield wipers to help prevent them from freezing to the glass. The more you do to protect your car from the snow, the easier it will be for you to get around when you need to.
6. Do a Resource Check
Without a doubt, one of the most important things you can do before a snowstorm is a resource check. Make sure you have emergency water on hand in case your pipes freeze. This can be one of the most crucial things to have on hand as sometimes pipes can burst or leakages can happen that can make your home’s water source dangerous for consumption. You should also make sure to have food on hand that is edible if the power goes out. If you have pets, then also make sure to have extra food for them. Another important thing that many people overlook is a source of warmth. This is incredibly important in dangerous temperatures. Whether it is a generator, something to start a fire, or an abundance of blankets, keeping warm is crucial if the power goes out.
7. Care for Pipes
Your pipes are going to be a major concern when it comes to the snowstorm. One of the most important things you can do is open up your cabinets to help your pipes get the heat from the home. You should also leave the water dripping to help keep the pipes from freezing. Your outside sprockets should also be protected though. In order to do this, you can get a simple cover for them that won’t cost more than a dollar or two. You can also go the DIY way by covering them with a rag or other insulator and adding a form of plastic to the top. This should help prevent any problems you may have, so you won’t have to spend a fortune on pipe damage.
8. Cover Plants
If your garden is something you are worried about then you are definitely going to want to take precautions when it comes to some of your fragile plants. If you’re not certain which plants you need to cover, then you might take to the internet to learn about your garden before the freeze sets in. You don’t have to spend a fortune to help protect your plants though. Putting some plastic over them is an easy way to help avoid frostbite that might kill them. It can also be helpful to add old rags and plastic to the bottom of younger trees. There are so many other helpful tips that you can discover online when you look up the specific plants that you need to assist.
9. Remove Snow From Concrete
If you’re not a fan of shoveling snow, then you might reconsider this. Leaving ice on the concrete can do a whole lot of damage that you might not want to handle when spring rolls around. Leaving snow on the concrete can become very dangerous to begin with. This is because it will turn to ice which will make it tough for you to use the concrete without having to do some majoring shoveling and de-icing. Unfortunately, in some instances, it might just be too hard to get rid of the ice as you may find yourself with broken concrete. This can be a costly and time-consuming fix that is easily avoidable.
10. Know Your Work Rights
Another problem that many people face when it snows is the inability to get to work. Before the snow begins to fall, you need to know what your rights are if you can’t get into work. You might start by looking at your paperwork to see if there are policies on this. Another option is to talk to your boss for a little insight. Often enough, many places end up shutting down anyway, but if you’re one of the unlucky few that will have to get to their shift you should know what will happen if you take the day off. You may also want to see if you can come up with a safe plan to get to work if your car can’t make the trek in the snow. This can help save you from docked pay or getting in trouble.
The snow can either be a lot of fun or a huge inconvenience. These ten tips will help you make the right call when it comes to preventing damage to your home, belongings, and even your job. With any luck, snowstorms won’t be a huge issue for you so you can easily move through the winter with less stress.
