Protecting Your Home From Arctic Temperatures

The arctic temperatures we’ve experienced all across North America have served as a brutal eye opener to the damage mother nature can bring upon our homes. One thing is certain: the month of January taught us the importance of weather proofing our most prized possessions. Good thing, because the winter season is only halfway over and we’ll surely endure another arctic blast or two. Be sure to carefully review the following crucial tips and measures to protect your plumbing, furnace, and electric. Then, simply #MakeARequest on GetAssist to be connected with top-ranked pros near you to aid in the safeguarding process.

Plumbing

Plumbing is a modern-day necessity that has been nearly perfected as far as design and functionality, but in reality, no system is perfect in the wake of extreme weather. Even brand new homes with top-quality pipes and plumbing are at risk of devastating damage if proper precaution isn’t taken.

Drip water through sink and shower faucets

This is a simple way to keep water flowing, even if just at a drip, and requires nil human exertion. While a drip should suffice, consider slightly increasing the pressure of the drip for faucets with pipes closest to the exterior of the home. Additionally, it’s a good idea to keep both cold water AND warm water dripping to provide movement through all pipelines and relieve any pressure buildup, according to nola.com. While the warmth from the hot water line (provided by your water heater) should be enough to keep it from freezing, you’ll still want to give it some drip time.

Keep garage doors closed

The pipes most at risk are those in unheated interior spaces such as basements, attics, and garages. Keeping garage doors closed is just another means of heightening insulation, especially if there are water supply lines in the garage. It’s even more vital to keep the door closed if you have an attached garage. Not only does it protect the pipes, but also protects your home from absorbing any additional cold air.

Open kitchen and bathroom cabinets

Opening cabinets allows warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. It may not seem like it does much, but it absolutely increases the temperature of the air surrounding the pipes. Try this as a first step before placing space heaters, as they can unnecessarily run up your energy bill and be a fire hazard.

Insulate pipes

If you’re aware of an upcoming arctic blast and do not have sufficiently-insulated pipes in your home, consider getting ahead of it by having insulation applied. Poorly insulated pipes allow water to condense, which leaves pipes susceptible to standing water that can freeze in cold weather, thus increasing your chances of having a bursting disaster. Why even risk it? In preparation for the next inevitable arctic blast, go ahead and #MakeARequest and let us connect you with the best professional to tackle your insulation needs.

What to do if your pipes do freeze

The most reasonable thing to do is consult with a plumber in the event that your pipes freeze. It could just be a matter of applying extra heat to the pipes on your own, or perhaps you have a larger (aka costlier) problem on your hands. Lucky for you, GetAssist has already completed the hard work of compiling a list of plummers for you to choose from. While you wait for the plumber to arrive, it’s O.K. to start with the following, according to Consumer Reports:

• Keep the faucet open
• Aim heat at pipe using a hair dryer, space heater, or heating pad

Furnace Care

Your furnace works the hardest throughout the winter months as it is the very mechanism that heats your entire home. It also happens to be one of the most expensive items for a homeowner to replace, which is why it’s imperative to take extra care in keeping it running smoothly.

Change filters to keep air moving

Dirty furnace filters make it that much harder for your furnace to do its job. Just as humans have a more difficult time breathing while working out, the same is comparably true for your furnace. Energy is wasted and efficiency is compromised when your furnace is running but not outputting much warmth due to clouded filters. In anticipation of how hard your furnace will be working, consider stocking up on clean filters to get you through the cold months.

Make sure vents are not clogged

Furnaces typically shut down if they can’t properly vent, so be sure to check vents for snow and ice build up. You’ll want to check them frequently considering how quickly drifting snow can re-cover them.

Additionally, it’s important to keeps furnace and dryer vents cleared to prevent leakage of carbon monoxide. Gaps or clogs that inhibit the normal function of air intake and exhaust in PVC furnace piping may allow carbon monoxide to accumulate in the home, which is a hazard in itself. If you’re unsure of the state of your intake and exhaust vents, now is the ideal time to #MakeARequest on GetAssist to be connected with a highly rated furnace expert in your area.

Run a steady, low temperature

The reasoning behind this is two-fold:

1. You don’t want to work your furnace too hard when it’s already compromised by the frigid outdoor temperatures its combatting. Maintaining a super toasty temperature would mean your furnace has to run almost constantly, thus risking it burning out.
2. Second, you’ll collectively help conserve gas and energy. Gas is the precious resource that keeps most furnaces running, and when widespread sub-zero temperatures come knocking, the natural instinct is to crank up the heat. In doing so, gas is used at a much higher rate and puts humans at risk of running too low on the very resource that helps keep us safe in these scary, record-breaking temps.

Tend to your roof and overhangs to prevent ice dams

Snow buildup on your roof can create solid, heavy ice dams that threaten the integrity of your house’s structure, inhibit the ability to maintain a steady temperature, and put moisture into your home. With a heavy sheet of ice making direct contact with your home, your insulation is that much more compromised and vulnerable. According to an expert interviewed by the Journal Sentinel, homes built before 1970 are especially at risk of accumulating ice dams. Regardless of the year your house was built, though, it’s wise to keep up with clearing snow and ice from your overhangs.

Electric

Electrical issues arise more often than not when weather takes an extreme turn. It’s more likely for power to go out, folks are more likely to use space heaters and heating pads (thus driving up their bill and creating a fire hazard), exterior light-switches freeze, etc.

National Geographic nicely sums up how “the electric system consists of thousands of components that are mostly electromechanical, with lots of moving parts. Like your car, these systems work best when they operate in the middle of the temperature and moisture/humidity range they were designed for.  When they are new, these devices are designed and rated to operate correctly in even extreme temperatures. But as they age—and much of our infrastructure is already operating well beyond the lifespan for which it was designed—they may not operate well in extreme conditions.”

If you lose power and opt to utilize a generator, be mindful that most generators are run by gas, thus putting you at a higher risk of a fire while simultaneously expending a precious resource.

Similarly, even if you do not lose power, you must still be cognizant of the dangers of heating pads, space heaters, and other supplemental sources of heat when it comes to fire safety and energy costs.

Other inconveniences can occur such as light switches freezing. If frosting occurs on any of your light switch panels, do not touch them, as there could be an electrical issue with a circuit or wire. Instead, you should absolutely consult with a professional. Gain peace of mind by having your electrical system checked out asap– it’s as simple as #MakingARequest on GetAssist to be connected with your pick of trusted local electricians.

Additional, miscellaneous to-do’s

There are an abundance of things that can be done to provide complete weather protection for our homes. It’s a great time to be extra prepared for the next arctic blast while simultaneously getting ahead for next season! Now that you’ve reviewed the essential weather-proofing checklist above, check out these additional suggestions from Today’s Homeowner:

• Close or cover foundation vents under house and windows to basements
• Inspect fireplaces, and chimneys before using, and have them cleaned if needed
• Cover or remove any window air conditioners
• Caulk any cracks or holes on the outside of your house.
• Run paddle ceiling fans on low in reverse (clockwise when looking up) to circulate warm air.

No matter your home weather-proofing needs, the GetAssist team is excited to help connect you with a variety of top-rated, local professionals (of your choosing) that are best suited to tackle the job.