Winterize Your Home Now!

Video by Michaela Parker

The official start of winter is just around the corner. Are you prepared for cold weather around the house? (Yes, I mean more than having a significant supply of hot cocoa and blankets!) As anyone who has wrestled with a freezing cold garden hose can attest, it’s a lot more fun to deal with the details when outdoor temperatures are still somewhat pleasant.

To avoid calling a plumber during the first prolonged cold snap, winterize your house now.

Steps include:

1. Drain your garden hose, roll it up, and store it indoors.
2. Invest in faucet covers and install them properly. Pro tip from a retired Extension expert: cut off the sleeve of an men’s long-sleeve dress shirt and wrap it around the faucet before installing the cover for more insulation. No money for an insulated cover? An old, thick sock and a rubber band to hold it on the faucet are better than nothing! Pro tip: replace the sock with a dry one after a rain or freezing rain because the sock will act like a sponge.
3. Check your water lines for leaks and sags that can lead to problems when the temperature stays below freezing for several days.
4. If pipes aren’t insulated, consider your options. You may be able to buy insulation and install it yourself, but you may require professional help. It’s much cheaper to invest in pipe insulation than dealing with a broken water pipe and the water damage!