
7 Tips to Protect Your Home During a Cold Spell
By: Monika
As temperatures drop in Wayland and neighboring communities, it’s essential to take extra precautions to keep your home safe and comfortable. Winter can bring freezing temperatures that can pose serious challenges like frozen pipes, water damage, ice dams, and other costly issues if proper precautions aren’t taken. Fortunately, with a few proactive steps, you can safeguard your home and avoid many common winter problems. And if the unexpected happens, P.C. Plumbing, Heating, AC & Remodeling is here to help.
1. Insulate Your Home
Proper insulation is one of the best ways to protect your home during cold weather. Ensure that your attic, walls, and floors are well-insulated to prevent heat loss. If you notice cold drafts around windows and doors, use weather-stripping or caulk to seal any gaps.
2. Protect Pipes from Freezing
Frozen pipes can burst and cause expensive water damage. To prevent this, insulate exposed pipes, especially those in unheated areas like basements, attics, and garages. If the temperature is expected to dip below freezing, let faucets drip slightly to keep water moving. And open cabinet doors beneath sinks to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.
3. Maintain Your Heating System
Before a cold spell hits, have your heating system inspected and serviced to ensure it’s working efficiently. Replace the filter and check that your furnace is operating properly. If you rely on a fireplace or wood stove, make sure the chimney is clean and free of obstructions to prevent dangerous fires.
4. Prevent Ice Dams
Ice dams can form when melting snow refreezes at the edge of your roof, causing water to back up and potentially leak into your home. To prevent ice dams, make sure your attic is well-ventilated and insulated. Clearing snow from the roof after heavy snowfall can also help reduce the risk of ice buildup.
5. Protect Your Outdoor Spaces
Cover outdoor furniture, pipes, and plants with blankets or tarps to protect them from freezing temperatures. Disconnect hoses from outdoor faucets and store them to prevent water from freezing inside the pipes. If you have a sprinkler system, make sure it’s winterized to avoid frozen pipes.
6. Keep an Emergency Kit Handy
Winter storms can sometimes lead to power outages, so it’s important to be prepared. Keep an emergency kit with essentials like bottled water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, blankets, and a first-aid kit. A portable phone charger can also come in handy if the power goes out.
7. Clear Your Driveway and Walkways
Snow and ice can quickly accumulate on your driveway and walkways, posing a safety hazard. Keep a shovel or snow blower handy and clear snow and ice as soon as possible. Apply rock salt to prevent ice from forming.
By following these simple tips, you can minimize the impact of cold weather on your home and ensure that your family stays safe and warm. And should you need us for a plumbing or heating repair need now or anytime, P.C. will be here to answer the call.