While tonight's extreme cold is not a week-long arctic snap, it's a good reminder of how the cold elements can impact your home. Here are some tips on how to deal:
Prevent Frozen Pipes
- Allow a faucet that is fed by pipes exposed to the cold drip. This will prevent water inside the pipes from freezing.
- If leaving your house for an extended period of time during cold weather, do not shut off the heat unless all the pipes and toilets are drained.
- Keeping the doors to rooms where the pipes and water meter are located, including sink cabinets, open so warm air can keep temperatures above freezing.
- Fill cracks and insulate walls, windows and outlets, especially where drafts might occur near pipes.
- Insulate exposed pipes under house with foam pipe insulation.
Keep Warm Inside
- We've said it before, but it's best practice to service and inspect your furnace prior to the cold weather.
- Be sure the fireplace, chimney and flue have been recently cleaned prior to use.
- Draw drapes and blinds closed and consider insulation curtains in certain rooms that do not get direct sunlight or have larger windows.
- Insulate cracks near windows or doors with weather stripping and caulking.
Protect the Outside of Your Home
- Clear gutters and drains to prevent ice from forming in them.
- Check your car to insure adequate fuel, windshield fluid and antifreeze levels.
- Clear and salt your walkways before extreme cold or winter weather. Alternatively, you can use kitty litter or sand.
For more tips, check out Ready, a national PSA campaign that educates Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies.
