Did you all survive the winter storm yesterday here in Connecticut? If you did, you are like me, and thought it was much worse than they originally said. A couple of inches of snow no problem, right? Nope, don't forget to throw in the sleet, that caused severe icy conditions that continued on through today.
I couldn't even get the ice off of my side windows, and my wife said her hands were frozen after she was out getting the ice off her car windows. These recent events are the inspiration for today's post.
Lets get right into it. A top 10 list of tips for not only car owners, but homeowners on how to deal with these icy conditions. Ice can wreak havoc on not only cars but homes too.
Salt and Sand: Lets start with the obvious, which reminds me, I am out of salt after yesterday's storm. It is important during the winter months to have salt and sand on hand.
The best time to apply for maximum effect is before sleet and freezing rain start to come down. It is also good to reapply after you clear snow too, which is common practice from most.
The best places to apply salt and sand are on driveways, walkways (sidewalks), and parking lots. Focus on areas where foot traffic is common.
Effective Shoveling Strategies: The age old question, can my snowblower do anything against this stuff? The answer almost every time is no.
So the tools of choice for a storm like yesterday is a shovel pusher, scrapper, and chopper. The pusher is pushing the snow, and chopper is for chopping any ice left behind. And scrapper are for getting ice off your car.
No matter the tools you use, it is very important to remove ice as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the harder it is to remove. I waited, and paid the price, I couldn't get the ice off my truck window, no matter how hard I tried.
Roof Raking: Many people don't do this, and I was once one of them, until a ice dam formed on the back of my house. It was so bad that water started to get into the house from the window and attic.
You can prevent ice dams, just simply by removing snow from your roof. The best way to do that is by using a roof rake. If you don't do that, you can find yourself in the same situation I was in. Water got under the roof shingles and into the attic.
Gutter Cleaning: Another cause for an ice dam could be clogged gutters, so make sure to clean them. Water can not only get into your home, clogged gutters can also cause roof and siding damage from the ice build-up.
Emergency Kit for Cars: You never know if you get your car stuck somewhere, it is always important to this during any season. Items you should consider, a blanket, snacks, water, a flashlight, and a portable phone charger. Also include a bag of sand or kitty litter for traction and a small shovel.
These items may safe your life, and are not to be taken lightly. Another item that should be in your car during the winter season, is a scrapper and brush. I found myself yesterday without one, when I first went out, and was lucky I didn't need it until later in the day.
Winter Tires: If you don't have All-wheel drive or a 4x4 this is a must. Both my brother and I just bought front-wheel drive vehicles, and he made sure his came with winter tires.
These tires provide better traction than say your standard all season tires, hence the name "Winter" tires. My pickup truck is a 4x4, so that is my vehicle of choice in weather like yesterday.
Vehicle Maintenance: I just mentioned my pickup, well it notified me yesterday that it is running low on coolant. You definitely don't want to run out of that during winter, cause it can lead to your car overheating.
You should not only check your car's coolant (antifreeze) level, but make sure the battery and wipers are in good working condition too. Also ensure your heating system and defroster are working well before the cold weather hits.
Drive Carefully: After my wife left work yesterday, I told her to do this. Reduce your speed, and allow extra space in between you and the car in front. Avoid sudden turns or stops to maintain control of your vehicle. She not only did this, but also avoided the highway.
Pipe Insulation: For our last two tips, we are going back to the home front. Even if you are not a homeowner, you should still read on, as these tips are for everyone.
Insulate exposed pipes to prevent them from freezing and potentially bursting. Pay special attention to pipes in attics, basements, and outside walls.
Icy conditions usually mean extreme cold temperatures. When the weather is like this, it is the time that you rely on your heating system the most. This is why you need to make sure it is in tip top shape.
I hope you enjoyed these tips, and that I taught you something new. Until next time I hope everyone stays warm and safe out there. If you have anymore tips to share, leave a comment below!
