As this blog was being written, the high was 99 with a breathtaking 100 degrees slated for the next day; just a few short days ago. It feels like winter will never visit us here in Austin, Texas, much less a freeze; nevertheless, we prepare. We prepare because we know we will see half of our nights between December and March dip to 40 degrees with an average of 12 nights falling to or below freezing.
While there is only a short window that we experience freezing nights, Sterling Custom Homes, your premier Austin custom homebuilder, likes to remind homeowners to prepare for those nights in order to avoid unnecessary expenses and headaches. One of the very basic things you need to remember is to have several hose bib covers available for quick installation before a freeze to prevent a busted outdoor pipe. You should also disconnect your water hoses from your hose bib so they don’t freeze and split. Hose bib covers are inexpensive and readily available at Home Depot or Lowes. Another way to protect your pipes is to make sure you open the base cabinet doors on your outside plumbing walls if you will be away from home during a predicted freeze. This will allow the warmer air in your home to protect the pipes from freezing.
Cleaning out leaves and debris that accumulate in your gutter through the fall is recommended to avoid roof, wood trim, and foundation damage, as well as pest invasion. Common gutter problems can be avoided by cleaning out and inspecting the integrity of your gutters on a yearly basis. If you are not a do-it yourself-er, consider hiring a professional for service and inspection after the fall shedding of leaves. They will clean gutters of all debris, inspect for proper slope of the gutters and ensure that the hardware is secure.
Before you switch you’re HVAC unit to heat, call a professional to complete an evaluation of your heat source. A series of tests and inspections will be conducted to ensure your home will be safely and efficiently heated this winter. Now is the time to schedule this service call, before your preferred service company is busy with heating unit emergencies.
Having your fireplace and chimney inspected and cleaned prior to its first use is essential for safety and efficiency. This is a project that is best left to a professional. In our local climate it is common to have both indoor and outdoor fireplaces. All should be inspected before use this winter.
We hope we have motivated you to take care of these items so that you can enjoy a hassle free winter!