Lincoln experts give tips to prepare your home ahead of winter weather

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – As more snow arrives in eastern Nebraska Sunday night, experts say now is the best time to make sure your home is ready.

At Westlake Ace Hardware, General Manager John Dageforde said one of the most important things to keep an eye on this winter is your water pipes.

He said many older houses in Lincoln have pipes in crawlspaces or attics that could be impacted by the cold.

To prevent freezing, he said you can wrap insulation or heat tape around them. He also recommends leaving doors and cabinets open to help warm air reach more hidden pipes.

Dageforde also said if you go out of town for a while, you can leave faucets dripping to keep the water moving.

“It’s all about prevention,” he said. “You may add some of this stuff up and you’re getting into some dollars, but it’s far cheaper than having a plumber come out and rebuild your plumbing.”

Dageforde said insulating your windows and using a humidifier can also warm up your home.

When it comes to furnaces, Bob Benak with Benak’s Heating and Cooling said you should be getting your filters cleaned or replaced at least twice a year.

He said it’s usually cheaper to get a service contract with a company to come out and check your furnace regularly.

“An excessive amount of snow will block them [ventilation pipes] and prevent your furnace from running,” Benak said. “It’s very important the area is clear around your intake and exhaust for your furnace.”

Finally, Dageforde said now is a good time to have snowblowers, shovels, and ice melt ready to clear sidewalks and driveways.

But pay attention to which kinds of ice melt can be used on concrete and whether they’re safe for pets.

Above all, both agree if the worst happens, call a professional before dealing with freezing problems yourself.