Seasonal Checklist for Winter

We have already experienced our first snowfall and frigid temperatures here in Fairfield County so we thought it would be a good time to share a seasonal checklist to prepare your home for winter.

Place these two items at the very top of your list:

• Service your heating equipment
• Protect any and all pipes that are visibly vulnerable to freezing

Servicing your heating equipment can save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. There is never a convenient time to lose your heat. You will always pay a premium for an emergency call so try to avoid the emergency calls by proactively servicing your equipment.

Many fuel companies will service your equipment for free if you commit to buying fuel from them for the heating season. This is most common on the first year of service in hopes to gain your business. Don’t be afraid to ask for the free service of your equipment in future years as well! Most fuel companies will not want to lose you as a client and will gladly throw in the service.

When speaking with Gary from GT Plumbing & Heating, a local Fairfield County plumber, he shared, “Outside faucets are the most vulnerable,” and went on to explain that he’s already gotten calls this year about exterior faucets freezing.

Making sure you disconnect your hose and turn your shut off to the “off” position inside of the house is key. If you don’t have a shut off or can’t locate it, call a local plumber. The service call for a plumber to install an easy-to-use shut off for you will be much less expensive than a frozen pipe repair.

Last winter season, many homeowners experienced frozen pipes in Fairfield County, more than usual. There were many stretches last year when temperatures went well below 32°F and paired with constant winds. Low temperatures and steady winds combined will no doubt leave us with frozen pipes. During these cold spells, be sure to maintain your heat at 60°F or higher. Keeping the water flowing will help prevent freeze-ups as well. Check on your faucets, especially on showers and tubs that you don’t regularly use and make sure you run them at least once a day, if not more, during the coldest times.

Other helpful tips to include on your winter checklist are:

• Change batteries in smoke and CO detectors.
• Run your generator and snow blower before the first snow storm.
• Prepare your fireplaces.
  • Keep firewood at least 15 feet away from your house to help reduce the chance of mice and insect nesting in your home.
• Consider investing in a programmable thermostat to help reduce heating costs.
• Snow Removal
  • Place orange stakes in your driveway so your plow company can easily detect where the driveway ends.
  • If you live in a multi-family housing, make sure you are aware of the snow removal procedures set by your association.
  • Remove leaves from your gutters and make sure they are in working order.
  • Remove garden hoses and turn off water for outdoor faucets.
• If you’re worried about ice dams on your roof be sure to have a roof rake handy before the snow falls. Once you need one, so does everybody else! You may also want to consider hiring a professional who can remove snow from your roof as this can be a dangerous task if you do not have the proper equipment.

Following through with this checklist can help you preserve the value of your house and reduce stressful situations. A little preventive maintenance can go a long way.

If you have questions about the above or any specific questions about your house, please feel free to reach out to us anytime! Typically, we can answer most questions if provided a brief description of your situation along with a few photos. Within 24 hours, you’ll have a detailed response from us here at Trietta!