We tend to think about how to stay warm during winter, and that means considering which improvements or adjustments we could make to our households.
Perhaps our older house has out-of-date window fittings that could stand to be a little more insulated. Maybe we need to stock up on grit because our garden path tends to become quite icy over time. All of these measures are worthwhile, and of course planning in advance can help us in that regard, even if it’s 24 hour AC repair with a service such as Texas Strong Mechanical for comfortable heating when needed (yes, your AC will help with warmth too).
But what if you’re not planning to stay at home over the winter period? It’s not always clear what adjustments should be made ahead of time if you’re not going to be in the house. In this post, we’ll discuss a few steps for moving forward and preparing that vacated home for winter:
Insulate Pipes & Turn Off Water Supplies
A burst pipe is the kind of surprise you never want to come home to, and it’s an issue that can go unnoticed for days or weeks, leading to extensive damage, especially in the winter when pipes are strained anyway. To avoid this, insulating your pipes is a good first step. Wrapping any exposed pipes in foam or insulation helps protect them from the cold, and can work well. Of course, turning off your water mains can also help prevent difficulties. If you have anyone coming to look over your home, having them flick this back on and running warm water through the pipes can’t hurt.
It’s best to leave this task to someone who specializes in professional insulation just to be on the safe side. We understand that you may want to do it yourself, but you don’t want to risk it going wrong, do you? It’s up to you at the end of the day, but professionals have experience and know what they are doing, can you say the same?
Unplug All Appliances
Fridges, ovens, televisions, and even smaller items like coffee makers don’t need to stay plugged in while you’re away. There’s real peace of mind in knowing that you’ve taken any potential electrical issues out of the equation, and you don’t have to worry if the oven is still on if you’ve switched off the power at the fusebox. It will also prevent you from using energy at a time when heating the house takes much more time to achieve.
Consider Gutter Cleaning & Arrange Snow Removal Services
While you might not be there to shovel the driveway or clear the paths, it’s still important to ensure that your home doesn’t become inaccessible or that gutters are damaged and runoff can’t proceed well. Arranging a snow removal service can prevent snow from piling up, which ensures that the damage is going to be limited where appropriate. It doesn’t have to be daily, just every couple of weeks depending on how the snow falls in your area.
Moreover, you might not be around to deal with a clogged gutter mid-storm, so it’s best to tackle this task beforehand. If you’re short on time (or just don’t want to climb a ladder), hiring a service to clean them out for you is a decent enough option.
With this advice, we hope you can more easily prepare that vacated home for winter.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.
