Is your home prepared for winter?

Winter can be a tough time for homeowners. Cold temperatures and icy conditions can cause all sorts of issues, so it’s essential to take the necessary steps to prepare your home plumbing and electricity before winter fully arrives.

Early Home Maintenance Check

When it comes to your home’s plumbing and electrical safety, the adage “prevention is better than cure” is true. Your home is exposed to various elements, including extreme heat and cold, which can result in water leaks, frozen pipes, faulty electrical issues, and broken fixtures.

These are inconvenient at the best of times, but they can be far more stressful during Wisconsin’s brutal winters.

Unfortunately, some damage isn’t always apparent; in reality, it might take decades for symptoms to show up. This is why regular maintenance checks are vital.

Here’s a quick winter house inspection checklist:

Inspect for leaks that cause puddles or watermarks.
Check the caulking or seal around your home’s sinks, tubs, and toilets.
Look for signs of mildew or mold, especially in your heaters or near windows.
Watch out for signs of corrosion; these include discolored water, a funny taste, or frequent clots.
Replace the filters in your refrigerator’s water dispenser.
Fix dripping faucets in showers, tubs, and sinks.
Check for loose connections in all electrical panels.
Check for filters that need to be replaced.
Replace cracked or missing electrical outlet covers.
Check all outdoor lighting.

To avoid complications down the line, make sure everything stays running smoothly at all times.

Tips on how to prepare your home’s plumbing for the cold weather:

Insulate Your Pipes: Ensure all visible water pipes in and around your house are properly insulated with foam or rubber insulation. This will help keep them from freezing when temperatures drop.
Shut Off Exterior Faucets: If you have any outdoor faucets, ensure they are shut off and winterized using an approved Winterizing Kit available at most hardware stores.
Clean Your Gutters: Make sure your gutters and downspouts are clean and free of debris, as this can prevent water from draining away during heavy rains or snowfall.
Disconnect Hoses: Any hoses connected to outdoor spigots should be removed and stored away for the winter. This will help prevent any water in the hose from freezing up, causing damage to the pipe or valve it is connected to.
Check Your Sump Pump: If you have a sump pump in your basement, ensure it works correctly by running some water through it and checking for leaks or other signs of wear and tear. Consider investing in a battery-powered backup sump pump as an extra precaution against potential flooding.

Preparing your home’s plumbing properly for winter can help prevent any issues from occurring when temperatures drop. Additionally, it will save you time and money if any repairs are needed during winter.

Tips on how to prepare your home’s electrical for the cold weather:

Have Your Wiring Checked: Have a professional electrician inspect your wiring system for any wear-and-tear, corrosion, or other damage that could pose a hazard once winter hits.
Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Make sure you have at least one working carbon monoxide detector in your home, as this will alert you and your family if levels become dangerous.
Check Your Surge Protectors: Make sure that any surge protectors in your home are still working and up to date, as they will help prevent damage to electrical equipment due to spikes in power levels.
Cover Outdoor Outlets: Any outdoor outlets should be covered with a weatherproof cover to help keep moisture and debris out. This is especially important if you plan on using the outlet while temperatures are below freezing.
Unplug Electronics: Electronic devices should be unplugged when not in use during winter months, as this can help reduce energy consumption and lower your bills.

By taking the time to properly prepare your home’s electrical for winter, you can help ensure that your family is safe and comfortable during cold weather. Additionally, it will save you time and money if any repairs are needed during winter.

Lee Mechanical Services

Fixing plumbing or electrical issues can be expensive but can also be avoided. With some maintenance and upkeep, you’ll avoid paying for costly repairs down the line.

If you want to avoid plumbing issues altogether, regular maintenance is the best way of preventing plumbing emergencies from happening in your home.