Winter is definitely underway, which means that you need to be prepared for frost, both for your family and for your home. Even if the cold weather has hit your area, you can still be proactive. It is never to late to be prepared.
Prepare Your Pipes
Frozen pipes are not good thing. If you have ever experienced a burst pipe, you know what I mean. There is water flooding everywhere causing damage to your home, and the fix and cleanup are often expensive.
To prepare against a burst pipe, make sure that you know where your water shut off value is. This way you can quickly get the situation under control.
You also want to insulate your pipes and keep them above freeing. You can make sure that your heat is at least on low in the winter, even if you are away. Adding insulation to your pipes will also help.
Prepare your Heating
Check the levels of your tank, if you have oil to make sure that you don’t run out of oil unexpectedly. Sometimes the oil companies are off with deliveries, especially around the holidays. Ask for an extra delivery if your tank is running low.
Prepare Your Household
Make sure that you have plenty of of emergency supplies on hand in case you do wind up losing heat and or power. Extra warm clothes and blankets on hand are important. You’ll also want to make sure that you have some easy no-cook food items, such as peanut butter, crackers, etc.
Prepare Your Home
Inspect your property for signs of branches or trees that might cause damage should in they fall. Heavy winter frost combined with wind can snap tree limbs. Get any potentially dangerous trees trimmed or removed.
Seal up drafty areas, such as windows, doors and outlets with caulk, window plastic and other methods. Not only will this lower your energy bills, but it will also help keep the house warmer for longer, if you do lose heat.
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