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Here's how to prepare your home for winter weather and bitterly cold temperatures

Temperatures will fall throughout the week after snow blanketed East Tennessee on Monday.
Credit: tab62 - stock.adobe.com
photo of suburban home with snow on drive way, lawn, plants, trees and roof

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Winter weather can cause several issues inside people's homes if they do not prepare for the frigid weather. And as temperatures began falling even further in East Tennessee, it's important for people to protect their homes.

One way to prepare a home for winter weather is to seal any air leaks around pipes and add insulation to any exposed water pipes. The pipes could be located inside a crawlspace or an attic and they could be insulated with foam sleeves. People can also leave their pipes dripping, to keep water flowing.

Otherwise, pipes could freeze, which could lead to pipes bursting and spilling gallons of water.

As water freezes, it expands which could put more pressure on the pipes containing it. With too much pressure, water could crack open the pipes leading to hundreds of dollars in repairs.

People could also purchase salt ice melt to help thaw their driveways or sidewalks. Using ice melt can help prevent injuries from slipping on ice.

People can also make sure heat stays in their homes by sealing off doors and windows and checking for any air leaks around them. It can also be a good idea to inspect any caulking on door frames and replace any failed weather stripping.

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