Stay Warm and Safe: Tips for Preparing Your Home for Cold Weather

Cold weather is on the way! Stay warm and safe with these tips for prepping your home:

Before Freezing Weather

• – Wrap all exposed pipes located outside or in unheated areas of the home.
• – Remove garden hoses from outside faucets. Insulate outside faucets with Styrofoam cover, rags or paper.
• – Cover vents around the foundation of your home.
• – Know where your property owner’s cut-off valve is located and how to use it. Apply oil such as WD-40 to the cut-off valve before operating to prevent the valve from breaking. The valve is located adjacent to the water meter box under a 6″ metal lid.

In Sub-Freezing Weather

• – Drip outside faucets 24 hours a day (5 drops per minute). This is not necessary unless temperatures are expected to be 28 degrees or below for at least 4 hours. (Be sure to turn off the faucets after the threat of freezing weather.)
• – Open cabinet doors under sinks adjacent to outside walls.
• – In unheated garages, shut off water to washing machines. Water softeners should be drained and protected from freezing temperatures.
• – In sustained sub-freezing weather, let water drip slowly from inside faucets.
• – Take extra precautions to protect pipes that have frozen in the past.

If You Are Not Going To Be Home

• – Shut water off at the property owner’s cut-off valve.
• – Drain all outside water faucets if your house will be unoccupied for several days (leave outside faucets open).
• – Leave home heating system on at a low setting.
• – Open cabinet doors under sinks adjacent to outside walls.