11 Quick Ways To Prepare Your Hampton House For A Frosty Season11 Quick Ways To Prepare Your Hampton House For A Frosty Season
When it comes to protecting against the elements in severe winter regions, the different structural and mechanical systems in a home take on extra duty. In the best of times, water may be a terrible opponent, but in places where the water presents as ice for weeks or months at a time, the problems could be significant.
Here are 11 ways to keep your home safe from the cold and all the troubles that come with it.
- Guard Your Water Pipes
As the weather becomes colder, unplug and store any garden hoses to protect outdoor plumbing equipment from freezing. Then turn off your exterior faucets, empty the lines, and wrap the hose bibs with insulation.
When indoor plumbing pipes run through outside walls, it’s important to keep an eye on them throughout the winter and make sure the insulation is up to code.
- Fill in Cracks and Holes
Even minor openings where cable cables or phone lines enter your property might let frigid air into your home—or allow valuable interior heat to escape. Close them up with a can of foam insulation, such as Great Stuff spray foam. Then, apply weather stripping, spray foam insulation, or caulking to fix any cracks around your doors and windows.
In areas where the winters are harsh, inspecting the home’s exterior for cracks and gaps should be a yearly ritual.
- Boost the Insulation
Make sure your home has appropriate insulation to prevent your pipes from freezing and to keep your house warm. This includes insulating your external walls, crawl area or basement, attic, and in many cases, the pipes themselves.
Your local energy utility provider may offer free in-home energy audits that may measure your energy consumption and prescribe the required actions to bring the R-value in walls and ceilings up to advised standards for your location.
- Keep Water Flowing
Set your indoor faucets to a slow drip if temperatures drop well below freezing if any of them are placed on external walls that aren’t suitably insulated. This is normally only required during really severe cold periods. Faucets and pipes near external walls are particularly vulnerable to freezing.
Because both the hot and cold lines are vulnerable, ensure sure they are slightly opened for optimal efficacy. Also, consider keeping cabinet doors open to allow the room air to warm your pipes.
- Keep the water shutoff handy.
If a water line freezes and bursts, you must immediately turn off the water supply to your home. If garbage is preventing simple access to your main water shut valve off, restructure your basement or garage such that it will be quickly accessible in the case of a plumbing emergency. Then, ensure sure the shut-off valve is in excellent working order. All water to the home should be turned off by turning the valve handle all the way clockwise. Replace the primary shut-off valve immediately if it is rusted open or only partially closes—this is normally a job for a professional plumber.
- Where can you find your water meter?
If the shut-off valve fails, invest in a meter key (or keep an adjustable wrench on hand) so you can cut off the water at the meter. Then, to make sure you understand how to turn the water on and off, practice.
It’s worth noting that your city may have rules prohibiting you from turning off the water on your own. If this is the case, have the water department’s emergency phone number ready so you can report concerns swiftly.
- Keep Garage Doors Closed
If your garage is linked to your house, keep it closed as much as possible. This will keep cold air out of your home and safeguard plumbing fixtures and pipes in shared walls between the house and garage.
- Gutters that are free of debris
Full gutters enhance your probability of having ice accumulate on your roof, and that’s not something you want to bother with. Set aside some time to clean up your gutters before the cold weather arrives. Gutter screens, often known as “helmets,” can help keep leaves out of gutters.
- Examine the Attic Ventilation
Ice dams on your roof may be avoided with proper attic ventilation. Make sure there’s no insulation blocking your soffits or attic vents by inspecting your attic. Warm air will not melt the snow on the roof, where it will run down and refreeze at the roof edges if there is a free flow of air in your attic.
- Keep an Eye on Your Thermostat
Make sure you have replacement batteries available so you can keep your thermostat operating continually. Sometimes it’s the little things that make all the difference.
- Get Ready for Your Vacation
If you’re going to be gone for a lengthy amount of time during the winter, consider turning off the water and emptying your plumbing system so you don’t have to worry about frozen pipes or other plumbing problems.
You may also buy freeze alarms for your house, which can monitor the temperature in your home and send you a text message or email if the temperature drops to a dangerous level. If you’re a “snowbird” who relocates to a warmer region in the winter, a monitor like this is essential insurance. The price tag might range from $50 to several hundred dollars, but the peace of mind is well worth it.
And speaking of insurance, ensure sure your homeowner’s policy is up to date and offers appropriate coverage for the sort of damage that might be suffered by cold weather.
Hope the article has been helpful!