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Ways To De-ice Your Sidewalk and Driveway

- Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Lallis & Higgins Insurance - De-Icing

With days below freezing fast approaching, you may need to de-ice your concrete walkways, sidewalks, stairs, and driveways. Here are some ways to do it.

Rock Salt

Rock salt (also known as sodium chloride) is one of the most widely used deicing chemicals. It is inexpensive, easy to get, and works well (for temperatures above 15°F). Here in Texas, we may not have bags of it on-hand for de-icing. You can use table salt in a pinch, but it’s less effective than rock salt. If you can’t get rock salt, sprinkle a thin layer of table salt over the area you want to de-ice. The chemical reaction between the salt and the water results in heat, melting the ice.

Salt shouldn’t be your long-term solution for melting ice, because it can damage your lawn, erode your concrete, and cause animals to get sick! But in a pinch, it will do!

Calcium Chloride

Calcium Chloride granules or powder is another form of salt that is great for deicing and is good for temperatures down to -20°F. Let’s hope we don’t need that, here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area! While a little safer than rock salt for plants and animals, it can still harm them in large quantities. You may have some on hand for other uses, and it’s readily available, but you’re probably less likely to have it on hand than you are table salt!

Pet and Environmentally Friendly Alternative Chemicals

If you’re worried about environmental impacts from deicers, there are plenty of eco-friendly deicers on the market. Many claim to be pet-safe, less damaging to lawn and waterways, and less damaging to your concrete, if slightly less effective than traditional de-icers. Many are available on Amazon.

Sand

A readily available option that many have right in their backyard is sand! It doesn’t melt ice, but it can add traction to slippery areas. If you’re looking for traction for your tires on a slightly inclined driveway or help keep your sidewalk just a little safer, sand is a great option that won’t degrade your concrete or hurt your lawn. The biggest downside is the mucky mess it makes when the ice finally melts, but that’s a mop problem, which is certainly better than an injury problem! Sand can help on stairs, but melting the ice is the safer solution!

Heated Mats

Heated mats are an expensive solution, most likely added to a new build, and generally more widely used in areas that stay colder than Dallas-Fort Worth. If you live toward Collin County or any of the more northern counties in North Texas, and you’re building a new home or commercial property, this might not be a bad option to consider!

Anti-icers

Anti-icing solution is a chemical spray that is applied to your sidewalks and driveways before wintery mixes and snowstorms happen. Most come as a liquid in a jug and use a sprayer similar to a fertilizer or pesticide sprayer. Many claim to be eco and bio-friendly and non-toxic, though, like any chemical you apply outside, you’ll want to use it as sparingly as possible. Anti-icers are fairly easy to find (though they may be more readily available in colder climates) and are a great choice for retail and multifamily properties, where slip and fall suits might be a concern.

Shoveling

Good, old fashioned shoveling might do what you need if your ice isn’t too thick and you don’t have too large a surface to shovel. You’ll want to use a flat, wide shovel if you have one available.

Source: classicconstruction.com


Season's Greetings from Lallis & Higgins Insurance

- Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Season's Greetings

As the holiday season unfolds, we find ourselves reflecting on the joy and warmth that comes with this special time of year. At Lallis & Higgins Insurance, we want to take a moment to extend our heartfelt gratitude to every one of you who has been a part of our journey.

From the entire Lallis & Higgins Insurance team, we send our warmest holiday greetings to you and your loved ones. Your support has been the cornerstone of our success, and for that, we are truly thankful.

May this festive season bring you moments of joy, laughter, and togetherness with those who matter most. Whether you're gathered around the dinner table, sharing stories by the fireplace, or simply taking a quiet moment of reflection, we hope your holidays are filled with warmth and comfort.

As we approach the dawn of a new year, we look forward to continuing this journey together. Your trust and patronage inspire us to reach new heights, and we are excited about the possibilities that the coming year holds.

Until we connect again, whether in person, over the phone, or through the written word, we wish you peace, prosperity, and all the happiness this holiday season has to offer. Thank you for being a cherished part of the Lallis & Higgins Insurance community. May your holidays be merry and bright, and may the new year usher in a wealth of opportunities and success.

Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

Warmest regards,

Lallis & Higgins Insurance


Winter Snow Activities for Kids

- Monday, December 18, 2023
Lallis & Higgins Insurance - Winter Snow Activities

From active outdoor activities to more traditional outdoor fun, don't miss our exhaustive list of winter fun for kids of every age.

  1. Try bowling outside with snowballs.
  2. Shovel a snow maze.
  3. Have an indoor snowball fight.
  4. Put colored water in a spray bottle and write in the snow.
  5. Bury small toys outside for a snowy treasure hunt.
  6. Catch snowflakes on your tongue.
  7. Make a snow volcano.
  8. Make your own snow.
  9. Build a snowman.
  10. Try I Spy when everything is covered with snow.
  11. Build a snow fort out of a snowbank.
  12. Go snow-shoeing.
  13. Use differently shaped containers to mold snow.
  14. Paint the snow.
  15. Find the biggest hill near you and go sledding.
care.com


Winterize Your Home

- Tuesday, December 05, 2023
Lallis & Higgins Insurance - Frozen Pipe

Whether you've winterized your home before or this is your first year in your new home, use this checklist to prepare for the cold weather

Add Weather Stripping to Doors and Windows

Weather stripping or installing storm doors and windows will prevent cold air from entering your home or heat from escaping it, which will reduce your power bills. Door sweeps are also an effective and easy way to keep the cold out.

Clean the Gutters

Cleaning your gutters is an important part of winter prep. A good rule of thumb is to have the gutters cleaned as soon as the last leaves have fallen in the autumn. To prevent clogging, inspect and clean the gutters of leaves and other debris. Clean gutters will also allow melting snow to drain properly.

If you want to avoid gutter cleanings, consider gutter guards. They can be made of stainless steel or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and will help keep out leaves, pine needles, roof sand grit and other debris from your gutter. They need to be occasionally brushed off to ensure the guards work to their maximum effectiveness, but it's not as strenuous as routine cleanings.

Block the Cold

Caulk around windows and use foam outlet protectors to prevent cold air from entering your home. However, the majority of heat loss typically occurs via openings in the attic. Check to make sure that you have enough insulation.

Get a Programmable Thermostat

In the winter, the Department of Energy suggests keeping the thermostat at 68 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home. Lower the thermostat a few degrees while you're away or sleeping. Switching your thermostat out for a programmable version is a good idea. It'll let you customize your heating so the system doesn't run when you don't need it, keeping your home comfortable and bills down.

Maintain Your Outdoor Equipment

Outdoor power tools, such as mowers and string trimmers, need to be cleaned and maintained prior to storing. If you have a snow blower, it's time to inspect it before the first snowfall to ensure it's working properly.

Save on Your Energy Bills

Call your local power company to see if they conduct energy saving assessments. It's often a free service where a representative will identify specific changes to make your home more energy efficient and save you money. In addition to the suggestions above, LED light bulbs and water heater blankets can also make a difference.

Make Your Furnace More Efficient

Your furnace will function more efficiently with a clean filter. A dirty filter with trapped lint, pollen, dust, etc., obstructs airflow and makes your furnace run longer to heat your home. Replace filters at least every three months.

Protect Windows From Heat Loss

o help keep chilly air from leaking in through window cracks, swap out the lightweight summer curtains with thermal lined curtains or drapes. They’ll help keep your home warm and lower your heating bill. For the windows that don’t get direct sunlight, keep the curtains or drapes closed to keep the cold air out and the warm air in.

Protect Your Pipes

Depending on the region of the United States you’re in, you’ll need to protect your pipes from bursting this winter using tubular pipe wrap, rolled pipe wrap and insulation fittings.

Time to Stock Up

There are certain staples that are good to stock up on ahead of time:

  • Snow shovel
  • Ice scraper
  • Ice melt
  • Flashlights and extra batteries
  • Weather radio
  • Emergency car kit (extra blankets, radio, ice scraper, car charger, first aid kit, jumper cables)
  • Water and food that doesn't require cooking or preparation (dried fruit, granola bars, crackers, etc.)
  • Extra pet food
lowes.com



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