The winter can be tough on your home. Although this winter has been pretty warm so far, now is the perfect time to make sure your home is well-protected against the freezing cold. We have compiled a short list of tips to winterize your home and potentially to save you money from a burst pipe.
Around the House
- Have your furnaces and chimney serviced. Your chimney should be checked before use.
- Now is also a great time to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Ensure your windows are well sealed. Here’s how to fix a drafty window.
- Clean your gutters.
Prevent freezing pipes with a few of these tips.
- Insulate your pipes with insulation sleeves/slip-on pipe foam, and wrapping.
- Ensure all visible exterior cracks are sealed.
- Keep a faucet dripping.
- Insulate any crawl spaces or attics.
Are you a snowbird?
If you are going south for the winter you will need to winterize your plumbing to protect against leaks and bursts. Read the below tips from: How to Winterize Your Plumbing Pipes to Prevent Damage.
- Shut off the main water valve, then the water pump and water heater.
- Open drain valves and taps and keep them open throughout winter.
- Blow and excess water from the pipes.
- Open your hot water tank’s drain valve until it’s empty.
Drain all water in the holding tank and add antifreeze to the jet pump case. - Flush the toilets to remove water from the tanks and bowls. Add antifreeze to any toilets that still have some water.
- Do any of your sinks or tubs have drain traps? Add antifreeze to the ones that do.
Do you have any other great tips to help winterize your home you’d like to share? Send us a message at info@keidel.com.
Image Source: Ian Keefe from Unsplash