Extreme cold can wreak havoc on your property if left unguarded. In fact, the Insurance Information Institute reports that winter storms are responsible for millions of dollars in damage each year.
This blog post offers practical measures on how to protect your property when it’s freezing cold in Ohio by insulating water lines, ensuring easy access to shut-offs, and more quick strategies.
Keep reading because this could save your wallet!
Key Takeaways
- In freezing weather, covering outdoor spigots keeps them safe.
- Insulating water lines stops pipes from freezing and bursting.
- Sealing cracks on walls and windows stops cold air from getting in the house.
- Knowing where the water shut - off valve is can save your home if a pipe breaks.
- Keeping the garage doors closed makes the house stay warm for longer.
- Clean gutters stop ice dams from causing damage to roofs or walls.
- Good thermostat settings keep homes warm during very cold times.
Steps to Protect Your Property When It's Freezing
Cover outdoor spigots for Freezing Protection
- Find all outdoor spigots on your property.
- Buy spigot covers from a hardware store.
- Fit the covers over each spigot.
- Check the fit to make sure each cover is secure.
- Look at the covers often to see if they are still in place.
Protect Home From Freezing - Insulate water lines
- Find foam pipe covers at a home store.
- Cut the foam to fit each pipe.
- Slide the foam onto your pipes.
- Use duct tape to hold foam in place.
- Keep checking on pipes during very cold days.
Sealing cracks and holes Protects Your Home When Freezing
- Check all walls, doors, and windows.
- Look for any cracks or holes.
- Buy a good sealant from a local store.
- Apply the sealant to the cracks or holes.
- Let it dry before you check it again.
Ensure easy access to water shut-off
- Make a clear path to the shut - off spot.
- Keep tools close that can help turn off water.
- Mark the shut - off area with bright color or light in dark spaces.
- Practice how to use the shut - off valve now and then.
- Teach all family members about it - even kids can help in an emergency!
- Don't stack stuff in front of the shut - off valve.
Keep water flowing During Cold Weather
- Turn on kitchen and bathroom taps lightly.
- Open faucets that serve exposed pipes.
- Keep pool pumps running when temperatures drop below freezing.
- Use timers on hoses to allow minimal water flow during night hours.
- Install a recirculating system for hot water.
Close garage doors to Help Protect your Property When Freezing
- It stops the cold wind from getting in.
- Your home stays warm longer.
- The pipes in your garage may not freeze.
- Frozen items inside the garage stay protected.
- Your car won't ice up or get covered in snow.
- You save on heating bills since the house doesn't cool down as fast.
Clean gutters For Home Freezing Protection
- Put on gloves and grab a tall ladder.
- Use a small shovel or scoop to get the leaves, dirt and muck out of the gutter.
- Watch for signs of damage like holes or cracks.
- If water is still in the gutter, make sure it can run out.
- Get rid of anything that blocks the downspout.
Maintain thermostat settings
- Set the number on the thermostat to at least 55 degrees.
- Keep it at this level both day and night.
- Do not turn off the heating when you leave your home.
- Use a smart thermostat for easy control of heat.
- If using a space heater, make sure it is far from flammable things.
Can Snow Removal Eliminate Freeze-Related Issues?
Effective snow removal plays a critical role in maintaining the safety and functionality of your property during freezing cold winters.
By promptly and thoroughly clearing snow and ice from driveways, walkways, and other high-traffic areas, you create safe paths for pedestrians and vehicles, reducing the risk of slips, falls, and accidents, and also preventing snow damage to your driveaway.
Snow removal also prevents the formation of ice patches, which can be treacherous to navigate.
Ultimately, a well-executed snow removal strategy contributes to the overall resilience of your property, upholding safety, accessibility, and the peace of mind of all who interact with it during the harshest of winter conditions.
Check out our snow removal service and sign up for the most advantageous deal you’ll find this year! Save over $750 with a subscription plan that gets your driveway and walkway cleared every time it snows!
Conclusion
Freezing weather can harm your home, and protecting the house from the freezing and thawing cycle is very important if you want your foundation walls to remain fully functional.
Keeping the things we mentioned in mind will for the cold days ahead will make sure your house stays snug and safe, even when the temperature drops outside.
And especially for our Ohio winters, knowing these things will definitely save you a lot of money down the road.
If you want to ensure a stress-free winter, give us a quick call at (419) 636-5429 and we’ll tell you exactly what you need to ensure everything about your property remains in tip-top condition even after the winter.