This high impact ARCTIC BLAST could see temperatures dip below 20 — for some of us in the South or in Texas in particular we haven’t dealt with temperatures this low in several years. It’s super important to winterize your house. Of course we have very minimal time to do this all in one weekend!! Your home is a big investment and it’s important to protect your home. Here are the tips we use for our clients and recommend to our own friends and family. :)

TIPS FOR PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR FREEZING TEMPERATURES:

THERMOSTAT – set to a minimum of 60-65 degrees to protect against frozen pipes
TURN OFF WATER - If home is vacant. Once water is off, drain the pipes by opening the faucets and flushing toilets to clear water from them.
LET WATER DRIP - If water is left on, let cold water drip from faucets. Moving water is hard to freeze.
OPEN CABINETS - Open kitchen and bathroom cabinets, so warm air can circulate.
DRAIN EXTERIOR WATER PIPES - Winterize the pipes by draining all water from the hose lines and shutting off the water to the sprinkler’s backflow.
WRAP EXTERIOR WATER VALVES - Wrap or cover outdoor water pipe and above ground irrigation valves with a piece of insulation to prevent water from freezing and busting.
CLEAN GUTTERS - Clear all the debris out of rain gutters and check the downspouts for any blockages.
TRIM TREE BRANCHES - Check for any tree branches that may have grown too close to the roof and need to be trimmed.
CHECK FOR ROOF LEAKS - Inspect roof to ensure there are no active leaks.
CHECK FOR DRAFTS - around windows and doors and seal them with caulking or new weather strips to prevent cold air from seeping. (Temporary draft protection can come in the form of blankets, towels or bubble wrap over leaky windows and draft stoppers under doors).
CHANGE AIR FILTERS - it can help central air and heat work better.
REVERSE CEILING FANS - Reverse the ceiling fans to a clockwise direction so they push hot air along the ceiling to the floor.
PRESERVE YOUR PLANTS - Water plants before it gets cold and bring them inside or cover them up. Adding mulch to flower beds can also help insulate.
SECURE REAL ESTATE SIGNS - Remove or secure outdoor signs, furniture and décor that could be blown away in strong winds.
DON’T FORGET YOUR POOL - Make sure the water levels are correct and break up any ice that may have accumulated on the surface or near the skimmers. Consider running pump continuously through the night when temperatures are freezing.
DO A FIRE HAZARD CHECK - Fireplaces, furnaces, and heat sources can be dangerous. Consider hiring a professional to check fireplace, heater or furnace prior to winter use. Check all smoke and CO2 detectors to ensure they are functioning properly.
CHECK FIREPLACE - If fireplace hasn’t been used lately, make sure to check the chimney/flue before using. Birds may have nested or debris could be trapped at top.
BE CAREFUL WITH SPACE HEATERS - Make sure if you run a space heater it’s on a good flat surface and at least 3 feet away from any objects!

Please leave us any tips in the comments that you have that work for your home in your part of the world. :)