Even though temperatures are unseasonably warm now, cold weather will be arriving soon. We'd like to share a checklist that will possibly help keep your heating bills down this winter and make your home warmer and safer for you and your family. Planning ahead can save you money and frustration. Keep in mind that according to the lease agreement, any preventable damages (such as freezing pipes and additional issues) are your responsibility. Please take all necessary precautions to avoid any unnecessary costs.
OUTSIDE PREPARATION
- Check and close all the vents/windows to the basement/crawl space.
- Unhook your garden hoses.
- Prevent water lines from freezing by wrapping exterior pipes. Even newspapers covered with a waterproof material works.
When the temperature forecast is for extreme cold weather, leave outside faucets running slightly (a small, steady stream of water) but don't allow outside faucets to flow in the street onto sidewalks and other areas where people may walk. - Check to insure that the caulking around the outside windows and any weather-stripping around frames are still in place to stop cold air.
- Keep the gutters cleaned out if your house has gutters. If they are clogged with leaves, the water will overflow and cause the house to rot or back up under the roof and into the house.
INSIDE PREPARATION
- Make sure the heat never goes below 50 degrees, even when you are not at home. If the temperature is forecast to drop below freezing leave at least one inside faucet dripping lukewarm water so that both hot and cold pipes are involved.
- During periods of cold weather, leave cupboard doors open in the kitchen and bathrooms so that pipes inside will be exposed to heat.
- We also want to be able to reach you in case of an emergency; make sure we have up-to-date contact telephone numbers for you.
- If you have central heat/air, changing or cleaning the filters monthly can make a big difference in your energy bills. Make sure the attic access door is in place. If you have a fireplace, please clean it.
- Test your smoke alarm(s). There are potentially more fires in the winter, and the smoke alarm is one of your best safety features. Make sure your smoke alarms have a battery and are working. You might also want to consider buying a small fire extinguisher for your kitchen and garage.
- Again, this is important for your safety and your family. Should pipes freeze, don’t use open flames to thaw out lines. This may catch the house on fire, or worse, create and explosion caused by expanding steam between two plugs of ice. Pipes don’t always burst the first time they freeze.
- However, should a pipe burst, locate your water shut-off valve and quickly turn it completely off. If you don’t know where the shut-off valve is located; please inform yourself now. If the pipe break is a hot water line, close the valve on the top of the water heater.
We greatly appreciate your efforts in helping to make sure your home is kept warm and as safe as possible during these winter months.
