Winterize Your DFW Home

Weather forecasts for the DFW Metroplex are predicting frigid temperatures this week.  As temperatures drop, your home will require some low maintenance preparations, in order to keep it worry-free throughout the predicted freeze.

Here are some easy tips on how to winterize your home.

1.) Water Lines – to prevent water lines from freezing and bursting during cold weather:

• Allow water to trickle, especially at night when the temperatures drop.
• Disconnect and drain all garden hoses from outside faucets and store, removing them from the harsh elements if possible.
• Always know where your water main is located in case you need to shut it off in emergencies.
• Shut off the water to the exterior hose bibs.
• Insulate hose bibs with Styrofoam insulators.
• Open all cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate and warm the pipes.
• If you go on vacation, leave the heat on, set to at least 55 degrees.
• Sprinkler systems should be shut off and drained.

2.) Chimneys and Fireplaces:

• If using a wood burner fireplace or vented gas logs, inspect the fireplace damper for the proper opening and closing.
• When not in use, keep the damper closed to prevent a draft and heat loss.

3.) Prepare an Emergency Kit:

• Buy flashlights or battery operated lanterns for use during power shortages. Other suggestions include: battery powered radio, drinking water, pre-packaged non-perishable food, propane camp stove fuel (NOT to be used indoors), non-electric can opener, charged cell phone, tool set, first aid kit, prescription medication plan in effect and pet food if you have a pet.
• Have an evacuation plan in place. Know where your main water shut off is located. Review emergency procedures with everyone in your residence if you have not prepared emergency procedures for your household, do it now. It is important that everyone knows what to do in the event of an emergency or disaster. If you already have one, review it once again and make sure the procedures are still applicable.

4.) Safeguard Your Outdoor Oasis:

• During freezing temperatures, run your pool pump and filter continuously. Moving water freezes won’t freeze as quickly.
• If you have a freeze guard function on your pool equipment, be sure its turned on.
• Check any water features, as they should be winterized separately.
• Review any pool builder documentation for your pool, as every oasis may have different needs.
• Protect any sensitive plants with items like burlap on palm tree trunks to prevent winter sunscald (don’t forget to remove when temps return to normal), adding additional mulch around some plants may help, and you can also nestle warm gallons of water into the the mulch at night. A great Texas reference for winter plant care can be found at Texas A&M Agrilife.

FROM EVERYONE AT THE SEAY REALTY GROUP, STAY WARM! 

The above tips are simple outline to help you remember some of the little details in safeguarding your home from winter weather damages, and are not all-inclusive.