Make Your Home Ready for Winter in Milder Climates | SERVPRO® of Biloxi/Ocean Springs/Gulfport

12/1/2021 (Permalink)

This time of year is always a little strange, when the radio starts playing “White Christmas,” and all the holiday specials of your favorite show start popping up with people bundled up in Gore-tex coats. They’re braving the frigid weather to celebrate with their loved ones or making sure their friends and family have just the right gift.

Winter weather in Biloxi doesn’t fit the holiday narrative, and we don’t often worry about snow. (Unless you count the…ahem…blizzard of 1993) where Biloxi got between one and four inches. We don’t need snow tires or salt trucks, and frozen pipes aren’t a constant worry.

But there are a few things warm-weather residents should perform in the winter as a matter of routine and prevention. We’ve listed a few for you here:

Prep your HVAC unit for winter. Everyone should have their HVAC unit inspected and serviced at the beginning of the heating season. Have a professional come out to check it out and perform routine maintenance, replacing any parts that could leave you in the cold. At some point, you’ll need to turn the heat on this winter.

Perform exterior maintenance of your home. Home maintenance should be conducted year-round, but it’s especially important in the winter. We average over five inches of rain per month over the winter, making it one of the rainier portions of the year. Check the condition of the roof, and make repairs as necessary. Clean the gutters and make sure they are free of debris. The last thing you want is rainwater in your home from clogged gutters. While you’re at it, clean out your chimney if you do any sort of fireplace use.

Make sure window and door seals are tight. Keep cool drafts from making you uncomfortable by insulating your attic and sealing your windows. These areas have a significant impact on the comfort level of your home, not to mention the impact on your utility bill.

Take care of your car. Take a look at the tires and windshield wipers, and replace as needed. You might not have to deal with driving on ice and snow, but you’ll likely end up driving in the rain—and you want to be sure you can do it safely.

If winter weather or unexpected flooding causes water to damage your home, we’re always here to help. Contact SERVPRO to see how quick and easy it is to let the pros handle your cleanup and recovery.