It’s important to protect your home from outside freezing temperatures. If the temperature outside dips below freezing regularly, you need to take precautions to prevent damage. From your gutters to your pipes, your house needs to be protected inside and out. The following are some tips to protect your home.
1. Gutters and downspouts need to be checked for clogs. If they are clogged, rain water can cause major damage to your roof due to overflow. Make sure your gutters are clear several times a year to prevent this damage.
2. Protect your outdoor pipes from freezing. If you live in an area that gets extreme cold temperatures, you might want to wrap your pipes with heat tape and/or pipe insullation. Tapes contain a heating element inside that warms the pipes themselves to prevent freezing. You can purchase these items at a local hardware / home improvement store.
3. For pipes inside the house, check the water supply lines that are found on an outside wall. These are generally located in the cabinet under the kitchen sink and some bathrooms. Make sure that you leave cabinet doors open to allow the warm air from your heating system to keep the pipes warm during extremely cold temperatures.
4. When the temperature outside dips below freezing, you should leave the water running. The faucet on the sink that is furthest from the street should be the one you choose. If you turn the cold water on just a little and let it run, it will prevent the water/ice build up in the pipes.
5. Make sure that your roof is well maintained. Warm air inside will help prevent unnecessary water damage. If you find any punctures, cracks or breaks in your roof, make sure they are repaired right away.
6. Check the vent caps for the furnace, water heater and exhaust fans and make sure they are all in working order. Filters should be cleaned or replaced.
If you’re not sure what to do or don’t have the time to take care of these things, hire a reputable contractor, plumber, roofer, etc. to make sure your pipes are wrapped and that your roof is in good condition and ready for the rainy season. In the long run, it can save you dollars, time and aggravation.
==>Read L. A. Times article regarding freezing weather
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