Living in a warm climate is wonderful—you often escape the brunt of blizzards and prolonged freezes. However, when those rare, intense cold snaps hit your region, your home is still vulnerable. A little proactive preparation can make a big difference in avoiding costly damage and discomfort.
Here is a simple checklist to get your property ready when the mercury dips lower than usual:
Mind Your Water Lines
Freezing pipes are perhaps the most common (and messiest) casualty of unexpected cold weather. When water freezes, it expands, which can cause pipes to burst.
- Insulate Exposed Pipes: Check areas like your garage, crawl space, attic, and exterior walls. Wrap any exposed pipes with foam pipe insulation (available at hardware stores) to provide a layer of protection.
- Disconnect Hoses: Remove all garden hoses from outdoor spigots. Leaving them attached can trap water near the valve, leading to a freeze and a burst pipe inside your wall. If your spigot has a separate shutoff valve inside your structure, close it and drain the exterior line.
- A Slow Drip: During the very coldest nights, let a few indoor faucets (especially those on exterior walls) slowly drip. The movement of the water helps prevent the pressure build-up that causes a break.
Seal Out the Chill
Preventing cold air infiltration is key to keeping your interior warm and your energy costs down.
- Check Doors and Windows: Feel around the edges of all your exterior windows and doors for drafts. Apply weather stripping or use caulk to seal any significant gaps you find.
- Cover Vents and Fans: If you have crawl space vents, consider temporarily covering them to limit the flow of frigid air beneath your structure (remove the covers when the weather warms up).
- Reverse Your Ceiling Fans: If your fan has a reverse switch, use it! Running the fan in a clockwise direction on a low-speed pushes warm air (which rises) down into the room.
Protect Exterior Elements
Don’t forget the parts of your dwelling and yard that are always outdoors.
- Bring Potted Plants Inside: Any sensitive plants in containers should be moved into a garage or indoors to shield them from the frost.
- Cover Pool Equipment: If you have a pool, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for protecting the pump, filter, and other equipment from freezing temperatures.
- Stock Up on Supplies: Make sure you have batteries for flashlights, extra blankets, and non-perishable food items, just in case a cold snap leads to temporary power disruptions.
Taking these straightforward steps now means you can enjoy the rest of the season with less worry about a sudden temperature plunge. A little preparation is all it takes to keep your cherished residence cozy and protected.