Steps you can follow to protect your home during freezing temperatures

With the recent cold snap, we have received a number of requests for tips to prepare your home for the cold. If you’re concerned about protecting your house from freezing temperatures, there are a few steps you can follow to help prevent damage to your home and pipes during the colder months. Here are some recommendations.

1. Insulate your home. Make sure your home is properly insulated to keep the cold out and the heat in. This is especially important for attics, basements, and crawl spaces.
2. Seal any gaps or cracks. Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal any gaps or cracks around windows, doors, and other openings to prevent cold air from entering your home.
3. Protect your pipes. Insulate your pipes to help prevent them from freezing. You can use heat tape or foam pipe insulation for this purpose.
4. Disconnect your hoses. If you have outdoor faucets, be sure to disconnect your hoses and drain the water from them to prevent the faucets from freezing.
5. Keep your thermostat at a consistent temperature. Set your thermostat to a consistent temperature, ideally between 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit, to help prevent your pipes from freezing.
6. Keep your garage doors closed. If you have an attached garage, make sure to keep the garage doors closed to help prevent cold air from entering your home.
7. Use draft stoppers. If you have drafty doors or windows, consider using draft stoppers to help keep the cold air out.
8. Keep your gutters clean. Make sure your gutters are clean and in good repair to prevent water from freezing and causing damage to your roof or walls.

By following these steps, you can help protect your house from freezing temperatures and prevent damage to your home and pipes during the colder months.