Before Winter Arrives:

Heating System

• Have your furnace or boiler checked and serviced by a licensed contractor at least once a year, preferably before the heating season begins.
• Clean or replace the furnace filter on forced hot air systems.
• Have your chimney checked and serviced by a licensed contractor at least once a year.
• If you plan to use a wood burning fireplace it is best to have a professional chimney inspector check it yearly and have it cleaned every 1-2 years.
• Make arrangements now for wood delivery for your wood fireplace. Even if you don’t plan to use it during the winter, be sure you have enough wood for 3-5 days on hand before winter in case a storm causes you to lose power for multiple days.

Insulation

• Check your windows and doors to be sure they are caulked and all weather stripping is in good condition to protect against drafts.
• Remove screens from windows and install storm windows, if applicable.

Plumbing

• Check for any leaks and fix problems immediately.
• Wrap your pipes in UL-Listed heat tape and insulate if it is exposed in unheated areas such as garages, crawl spaces, attics or basements.
• Know how to shut off your water.  Locate your main water shut-off valve. We’ve included a tag you can put on it to make it easy to find later.
• Check the operation of all sump pumps, sump pump switches and floats.
• Eliminate sources of cold air near water lines by closing off crawl spaces, fixing drafty windows, insulating walls and attics, and plugging drafts around doors.

Exterior

• Mark  your well, septic lids and driveway boundaries with markers at least 4” tall.  Hardware stores sell poles for this purpose.
• Check that all propane and oil tank inlets are accessible for delivery
• Clean and put away lawn and garden equipment.
• Disconnect all hoses from hose bibs and store them where they won’t freeze
• Trim trees and remove dead branches so they won’t cause damage to your home during ice, snow or wind.
• Keep gutters clear of leaves, sticks and other debris to help ensure melting snow and ice can drain properly. Make sure downspouts direct water away from the foundation.
• Ensure your steps, sidewalks and handrails are in good condition to avoid injuries during ice and snow.
• Check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors batteries. Carbon monoxide detectors are very important during the winter when heating fuel is being used.
• Make sure you have a snow shovel that is in safe condition to use. A roof rake is also a good idea to have on hand in case of a heavy snow fall.
• Make sure you have an approved safety container ready to store fuel in for snow blowers and/or generators. Keep fuel away from heat or flame producing devices and do not store fuel in your basement.

When The Cold Air Arrives

Heating System

• Have your fuel tanks filled and keep an eye on levels throughout the winter.
• Set your heat no lower than 55 degrees as the temperature inside the walls where water piping is located is colder than the living spaces; open doors to unoccupied rooms to keep an even temperature throughout the house.

Plumbing

Key Steps if temperatures stay below freezing:

• If pipes run through cabinets or vanities, open the doors to let warmer room temperatures flow in.
• Keep water moving through the pipes by allowing a small trickle of water to run. The cost of the extra water is typically lower than the cost of repairing a broken pipe.

If your pipes do freeze:

• Shut off the water immediately Don’t attempt to thaw pipes without turning off the main shut-off valve.
• Thaw pipes with warm air .  You can melt the frozen water in the pipe by warming the air around it with a hair dryer or space heater. Be sure not to leave space heaters unattended and avoid the use of kerosene heaters or open flames.

Don’t Forget To Make Your Emergency Kit:

• Flashlights
• Bottled Water
• Nonperishable Food Items
• Blankets
• Phone Numbers For Your Utility Companies
• Batteries
• First Aid Kit
• Tea lights
• Terra Cotta Pots

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