As cold temperatures are on the forecast for at least the next week here in the Northeast, we wanted to offer some helpful tips to protect your property from the potential of frozen pipes and other hazards this winter.
Frozen Pipes
Be prepared:
- For pipes most vulnerable to freezing-in attics, crawlspaces, and outside walls-insulate with foam sleeves or wrapping.
- Caulk cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations to keep cold wind away from pipes.
- Purchase a backup generator to keep your furnace running when power fails.
- Know where to turn off the water supply or water pump.
- Drain outside faucets and use insulated faucet covers (found at home improvement stores).
During periods of severe cold:
- Keep cabinet doors open to let the warm interior air circulate around pipes under sinks and adjacent to outside walls.
- Keep garage doors closed.
- Turn on all faucets to a slow drip to keep water moving and prevent pressure from building in the pipes.
Before leaving for an extended period of time:
- Set the thermostat no lower than 65 degrees.
- Consider turning off the water and draining the system. Shut off the main water valve and turn on every water faucet-hot and cold-until the water stops running. You can then shut off the faucets since there will be no water, and therefore no pressure, in the system. When you return, turn on the main value and let faucets run until the system is full and pressurized.
- Ask someone you trust to check the property while you're away.
- Consider installing smart home devices such as Nest products and wi-fi thermostats, as well as an automatic water shutoff device.
Some additional tips for the winter:
- Ice Dams - Once you have one to two feet of snow on your roof, use a roof rake to remove it as high as you can safely reach, watching out for wires. If you need to have your roof professionally cleared, make sure to use a qualified roofer to mitigate any subsequent damage.
- Snow Shoveling - Look out for icy patches in the pavement, take breaks when shoveling, and lift with your legs, not your back. Do not shovel into traffic, and drink plenty of water.
- Slips and Falls - Remove sharp icicles from entryways and other areas where they pose a threat to people or property. Keep walkways and driveways cleared of ice and snow, and avoid having gutters and spouts drain onto walking surfaces where ice could form.
- Safe Driving - Plan your best route and allow more travel time to your destination.
So for those of you up in the Northeast in this coming snow storm and extremely cold weather, be careful, be safe and be prepared.
Special thanks to Norfolk & Dedham Insurance Company for their help on the tips to prevent burst pipes.
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