Tips for Preparing Your Home for Winter Weather

11/30/2020 (Permalink)

• Keep cabinet doors open during cold spells in order to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes
• Keep a slow trickle of water flowing through facets, especially if the pipes run through unheated or uninsulated areas of your home.
• Consider shutting off outdoor faucets. The shutoff valve may be located in the basement or crawl space and turn it to “off.”
• If you shutoff water flow to your outdoor faucets, open the faucet to ensure that it drains completely and that the inner valve is shut off.
• Ensure all gutters are clean and secure. Leaves and other debris can accumulate, leading to the gutters damming, which could then lead to roof problems and/or water damage.
• Ensure that your furnace is properly maintained to help reduce the risk of puffbacks.
• Check the property for downed tree limbs or branches, as weather events such as wind, rain, ice, and snow can cause branches to fall, which could potentially lead to property damage or personal injuries.