In our previous blog, we offered ten Fall “to-do items.” The list included shutting off outside water, testing outside drains and sump pumps, changing your heater filters, and checking your water heater. Next up is winter, and it is never too early to start planning for the upcoming season!

Winterize Checklist

The list below are important steps to prepare for the winter freezing weather, ice and snow:

Pipe Insulation – You need to get all your pipes insulated – even any in your garage, get them insulated to avoid freezing and other plumbing issues. This is a process where all your pipes get a heat cable attached. This is followed by the pipes and the heating cables being wrapped in fiberglass insulations, and finally, finished with a plastic insulation wrap.

Install a Wi-Fi Thermostat – A thermostat lets you control the temperature of your home no matter where you are. You can even turn your heater on or off and adjust the temperature remotely. If anything goes awry with the temperature, it will launch a warning message to you.
Keep Some of Your Taps Dripping – If any of your bathroom or kitchen spigots are close to an outside wall, during a severe cold snap keep those faucets partially open, allowing the water to drip to prevent freezing.

Reverse Your Ceiling Fans – If your ceiling fans have a reverse switch, use it to run the fan’s blades in a clockwise direction after you turn on your heat. Energy Star notes the fan will produce an updraft and push down heated air from the ceiling. This is especially effective in rooms with vaulted ceilings. It probably will allow you to turn down your thermostat by a degree or two.

Call a Chimney Sweep – Before you burn the Yule log, make sure your fireplace chimney and heating vents are clean and in good repair.

Restock Winter Essentials – Restock cold-weather essentials, such as salt or ice melt before the first winter storm hits. Test your snowblower and move your snow shovel close to your front door.

Prepare Your Car – Park your car at the bottom of the driveway instead of the top. Add ice scrapers, ice melt, a blanket, a flashlight, jumper cables, and a snow shovel to the contents of your car trunk.

If you follow these tips, you will be able to spend your winter without having to worry about your pipes cracking and you won’t have to spend on unplanned repairs.

For more information on the plumbing issues cited visit https://socalplumbers.com/. If you have found this article to be helpful and you would like to join the SoCal Plumbers mailing list to receive similar useful information, please go to https://socalplumbers.com/email-signup/.