Pro-Active Winterization Tips

With winter fast approaching, locally many homeowners will face the expense and inconvenience of frozen pipes.  Now is the time to be pro active.

Know the location of your water shut-off valve and test it.  If a pipe bursts you will not have to wait for someone to arrive and find it for you.  Drain/purge your irrigation system.  Freezing and thawing cycles can create cracks and weak areas in the sprinkler system.  If you cannot purge your irrigation system, licensed landscapers with the appropriate irrigation license can help you.  Disconnect all outside garden hoses.  Drain decorative fountains.  Cover your swamp coolers.  Insulate any pipes or faucets in unheated areas such as basements or attics.  Pipes close to exterior walls or in unheated spaces should be insulated.  If there are areas which are difficult to reach, please use a professional that can help.  Also, be cautious of using heat tape as improper use can cause fires.  If you have a fire sprinkler, check to ensure that the lines are insulated.  If you live in an older home, it might be good to insulate your water meter box with covering; something that will not become wet and damp from the weather and freeze.  Ice dams are also an issue so it is important to keep your gutters clear of snow if possible allowing snow melt to drain properly.  Ice dams occur when the inside heat melts snow on the roof and/or our warmer winter daytime temperature melts the snow on the roof.  This water then refreezes at night at the gutter edge and will block water from properly draining off the roof and will force the water to enter your home through the inside walls.  This happens every year in our area and is a cause of major damage.  Protect your home or business against winter weather-related perils.