12/16/2022
Let's do this Aggieland. Cold weather is COMING! We can never be “too prepared" for 🥶 cold temperatures. This checklist is NOT brought to you by ERCOT.
Here's our ultimate checklist:
OUTSIDE🌳
✅Winterize outdoor faucets. Remove all hoses or devices attached to outdoor spigots. Be sure to drain any water left behind in the pipes. Have in-ground sprinkler systems blown out and turn off water to the outdoor spigots.
✅HAVE a plan and know how to turn off the main water valve to your property. 💦
✅Outdoor furniture. Wash upholstery and frames. In northern climates, store both furniture and cushions in a covered spot free from moisture.
✅Clear any landscape debris and waste. Remove any debris or branches from around the HVAC unit, gas meters, away from basement windows and your dryer exhaust vent. Cut back dead or dying limbs and any branches that can touch the roof or siding. When it's windy, branches can rub or scratch the surfaces of your home and cause damage. They also could fall during a storm or break under heavy snow and ice.
✅Firewood. Store your firewood in a dry place at least 30 feet from your home to avoid a fire hazard.
Visually inspect your roof.
✅Ensure that all gutters are clean and securely attached to help prevent ice dams.
✅Swimming pools and hot tubs.
✅Prevent pests. Walk around your house to check the foundation for small cracks or openings where mice or other pests can tunnel in. Winter is when they seek the warmth of your house, so seal up any possible entrances.
INSIDE🏠
✅Have your furnace inspected. Since your heating system will probably be running constantly throughout the winter, you should have it inspected annually to help it run efficiently and prevent CO from entering your home. Also remember to change out your HVAC filters every month.
✅Inspect the insulation in your attic and crawlspaces. Warm air rises and leaves the house through the roof, so you should focus on insulation in your ceilings. Insulating the crawlspaces will help keep your floors warm.
✅Seal potential leaks. Before cold weather comes, take time to insulate your home or apartment to keep the winter chill outside. Seal areas around recessed lights, the attic hatch and plumbing vents that may be allowing warm air from the living space below to enter the attic.
✅Allow for ventilation. Proper attic ventilation, adequate attic insulation and a tight air barrier between the attic and the interior of the house will work together to prevent ice dams.
✅Use window sheet kits. If you don't have double-paned or storm windows pick up a plastic-film sheet kit from your local hardware store. These will only last one season, but they do help with energy efficiency and are able to halt the cold flow of winter drafts. Try these updates to help make windows energy efficient:
Install storm windows, Hang curtains, Add caulk to windows, Use weather stripping, Create exterior shade, and Replace your windows.
✅Apply weather stripping. Add weather stripping to doors and caulk window gaps. Make sure all windows are locked to keep out as much cold air as possible.
✅Use a fireplace. If you plan to use it, schedule an inspection and service by a professional to make sure your chimney is clear of debris and that your damper opens, closes and seals tightly.
✅Insulate pipes. Pipes located in attics, crawl spaces, and near outer walls can be susceptible to freezing in extreme temperatures. Insulate to help prevent your pipes from freezing. When the forecast calls for unusually cold temperatures:
✅Let water drip from hot and cold faucets overnight.🚰
✅Keep cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate in places like below sinks. If you open the cabinet doors, be sure to remove anything inside the cabinets that may pose a safety to hazard to children, such as household cleaners.
JUST IN CASE
✅Blackouts and snow-ins can occur during winter months (see Feb. 2021) so take a moment to prepare yourself and your family for such winter emergencies. Having the following items ready will help you make it through safely:
✅Battery-powered flashlights or lanterns and extra batteries.
✅Drinking and/or bottled water.
✅Nonperishable food items. Keep the pantry stocked: It's smart to keep your house stocked with groceries all winter long. Should the power go out, you'll want to have plenty of extra water and nonperishable food that you can prepare without cooking.
✅Extra blankets, sleeping bags and warm winter coats.
✅Phone numbers for your utility companies.
✅Cell phone and portable charger.
✅Prescription drugs and other medicine.
✅A battery-powered radio, with extra batteries, for listening to local emergency instructions.
✅Battery backup to protect your computer and other important electronic equipment.
✅A first-aid kit.
✅And you can also consider buying a generator. A permanent or portable generator can provide temporary power when and where you need it.
