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Are you and your house ready for 12" of SNOW?!?!?


How many of you out there were caught just a bit off guard by the random 12" of snow in early November?

I know I found myself scrambling to get those final "winter prep" projects taken care of amid this snow. 

Now that we are in the middle of it, what should be your biggest priorities for getting your home buttoned up for the winter? Here are some of our top recommendations to be sure the cold weather doesn't cause damage.


1. Outdoor Hose Faucets - If you are living in a fairly modern home, you probably have a frost free hose bib for your outside water connection. These faucets actually recess the valve portion of the faucet behind the insulated wall preventing them from freezing. On many older homes however, the valve is actually outside on the faucet connector, and these are extremely prone to freezing in the winter. The solution however is pretty straight forward and inexpensive to offer some protection.  If you do not have a frost free hose bib, you generally have two options. The best, if you have a basement or crawl space, is to see if there is a shut-off with a bleeder screw that services that faucet.
shut-off valve with bleeder

If you do have a valve that looks like this behind your hose bib, you simply close the blue handle valve clockwise until it bottoms out, then twist the small knurled brass nob to release the water trapped in the line. With no water going beyond the insulation of the home, your valve should be safe!

If you do not have this type of bleeder valve, the other option is to place insulation over the faucet outside. You can buy a product like the one pictured below for under $5 at most big box stores. Simply attach the string to the faucet and pull tight!
2. Power Equipment - Normally the end of November is a good time to get your seasonal power equipment prepped for the winter.  Below are some of the key things to do with all outdoor power equipment. 

Fuel stabilizer - always add a fuel storage stabilizer such as STA-BIL to the gas in all your equipment. Once it has been added, be sure to run the equipment for at least 10 min with the product in the gas tank. This will ensure it goes into the carburetor so you won't have problems in six months when you go to start it.

Batteries - If your equipment has battery power to run or start, be sure to remove the battery and store it somewhere that it will NOT be exposed to below freezing temperatures. Additionally, if you are able to hook it up to a battery charger designed to store batteries and keep it charged, it will be at peak performance when you go to use it next summer!  When choosing a storage place, choose a location that is far from open flame, sparks or pilot lights. Lead acid batteries can release Hydrogen gasses which are extremely flammable. One popular battery charger that works well for storage is Battery Tender; I have used this product personally with positive results. 


Exhaust and dryer vents- As the snow begins to fall, be sure that all of your vents are clear and functioning properly. Especially with the snow falling so early in the year, many of us actually have a foot of snow sitting on top of six inches of freshly fallen leaves!!  This is a perfect storm for build up to form in front of dryer and exhaust vents.  Simply walk around your home, and make sure there is a clear path for air to come out of all your vents, and that none of them are frozen.
Normally if the vent is high enough it will melt the snow, as seen in the roof model pictured below; but always make sure after a snow that the vents are clear!


As always, thank you for reading and we hope you find these tips useful! Please check out the rest of our site at www.Expert-Home-Inspections.com.

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