Best Winter Maintenance Tips — How to Avoid Frozen Pipes
We all know how unpredictable Colorado weather can be. Before that first cold snap takes you by surprise, do the following to protect your home and investment properties from costly repair bills. You’ll be glad you did!
1. Change batteries in smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and thermostats.
- Mark your water service shut-off and sewer clean out so that they can be found easily in deep snow.
- Clean Chimneys and wood stove fluesto reduce the risk of fire.
- Clean gutters and downspouts so you don’t get ‘ice dams’ over the winter.5. Freeze protectors that cover your outside water bibs are inexpensive and easy to install. Even more important, unscrew all outdoor hoses from hosepipes and let water drain out.
- If you need to use your outdoor hose in the winter, make sure you unscrew it after each use. Otherwise, water can freeze inside the hose and leak into the walls.
- Consider placing a lock box on the exterior of your home to provide emergency access if you are not there during an emergency.
- Be sure the driveway is properly marked& plowed to provide ease of access by EMS and repair contractors.
- Clear snow from decks and overhangs to avoid a potential collapse or damage to the structure.
- Post emergency and utility company contact information in a prominent location.
- Wrap water supply lines in crawl spaces with insulation to help avoid frozen pipes.
- Buy leak alarms (similar to a smoke alarm, but they’ll detect moisture instead of smoke) and put them everywhere water might leak unseen–behind the fridge, under bath/kitchen sinks, near water heater. Catching leaks early can save thousands of dollars in damages, and untold frustration. You can get them at Home Depot or on Amazon.
Despite your best preventative efforts, things can still go wrong! Call me at Link Real Estate group and I’ll be happy to put you in touch with reputable contractors who can assist with repairs. Link is here to help!