It is rare in the Lowcountry that our temperatures dip below freezing for prolonged periods of time. In Charleston extreme cold weather is deemed newsworthy and all week we have heard the importance of keeping ourselves, our pets, and plants appropriately warm. Because this is a rare event this far south, some of the commonsense ways to protect our homes from potential damage aren’t second nature to us as they are to people living in chillier climates. The following tips will help you keep your home warm in the coming winter months, protecting your investment.
Avoid frozen waterlines, busted pipes, and unsightly plumber bills:
- Make sure that garden hoses are disconnected and drained
- Cover any exposed outside (or under the home) pipes or faucets with insulating foam covers, available at home supply stores.
- Know where your water main shut-off valve is. Turn off water to outside faucets & allow them to drain.
- If you have a sprinkler system, turn it off & drain the lines by blowing compressed air through them.
- Open cabinet doors under sink. Keeping a heat source directed near these pipes offers further protection.
- Allow kitchen and bath faucets to maintain a steady drip, particularly the one farthest away from where the plumbing line enters the home.
If your pipes have frozen use a hairdryer or portable space heater to thaw them. Keep the faucet turned on so that as pipes defrost, water can flow out.
Keep yourself and your home safe by inspecting all heat sources & fireplaces prior to the onset of cold weather, as well as all smoke detectors. New construction homes are designed to keep warm air in and cold air out during the winter but keeping blinds closed can also help minimize unwanted energy transfer. Running ceiling fans in reverse on a low setting can also help to circulate warm air. In terms of outside maintenance, clean your gutters and downspouts to ensure that damaging ice will not form in them. Stock up on non-perishables, flashlights and batteries in case electricity is lost. An increased demand for electricity can lead to grid overload and power outages.
After following these steps, be sure to appreciate how well insulated your new construction home is, as you stay warm inside! Need a more efficient home for all seasons? Shop Charleston areas neighborhoods to find your new home so you can save on utility bills & stay warm this winter.
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