A Major Snowstorm Is Coming—Here’s How to Protect Your Home Before It Hits

Tips

• Guard Your Water Pipes: Disconnect and store garden hoses, shut off water to outdoor faucets, drain lines, and insulate hose bibs. Monitor indoor plumbing pipes in exterior walls and ensure wall insulation meets standards.
• Seal Holes and Cracks: Use foam insulation, weather stripping, or caulking to seal holes where wires enter, and cracks around doors and windows. Check exterior for cracks annually.
• Add Insulation: Insulate exterior walls, crawl spaces, basements, attics, and pipes. Consider a free energy audit from your local utility company.
• Keep Water Flowing: Set faucets on exterior walls to a slow drip during bitter cold spells. Open both hot and cold lines slightly and leave cabinet doors open to allow warm air circulation.
• Keep the Water Shut-off Accessible: Ensure the main water shut-off valve is unblocked and in good working order. Make sure everyone in the house knows its location and how to use it.
• Locate Your Water Meter: Keep a meter key or adjustable wrench handy to shut off water at the meter if the main valve fails. Practice turning it on and off, and keep the water department's emergency number handy.
• Keep Garage Doors Closed: Minimize the time the garage door is open to keep cold air out and protect plumbing fixtures in the garage and shared walls.
• Clean Gutters: Clean gutters before freezing temperatures arrive to prevent ice dams. Consider using gutter screens or helmets.
• Check Attic Ventilation: Inspect the attic to ensure insulation is not blocking soffits or vents. Proper ventilation prevents ice dams by stopping warm air from melting snow on the roof.
• Maintain Your Thermostat: Keep spare batteries on hand to ensure the thermostat runs continuously.
• Prepare for Vacation: When leaving for extended periods, shut off the water and drain the plumbing system. Consider using freeze alarms to monitor temperature. Ensure homeowner's insurance is up to date.
• Keep Your Appliances Up to Date: Maintain furnaces, portable space heaters, and electric wall heaters. Clean filters before cold weather to increase energy efficiency.