It's a new year and that means new projects. This last week brought some rather rude weather and may have been a quick warningforwhatmaycome. If you have not already, it is a great time to take a few ounces of prevention to avoid a costly cure.
Some twenty-five years ago, I recall giving a television news clip in Dallas for winterizing a house. Some of the basic items have not changed nor has the basic cold weather. There are a few more perils in a rural area like Marshall County than a metro area may pose, but some basic around the house items are the same.
There are some fancy ways to weatherize and there are some simple ways, some of each as follows:
• Winterizing pipes and outside faucets: In rural America, it is common to have a few more outside faucets and water supply lines that are not protected from the harsh below freezing temperatures. Many people are familiar with the new water supply lines that are commonly referred to as Pex. Pex does freeze butitis highly unlikely that it will burst but the fittings and fixtures can.
A good way to protect these plumbing fixtures, faucets, fittings, and supply lines are to cover with foam pipe insulation. Exterior or those exposed to freezing temp toilets should be drained and add anti-freeze solution, but make sure animals or children cannot get into it. An alternative is to wrap these plumbing lines with a blanket or regular insulation. Wrap them up tight and secure with tape, wire, twine, or zip ties.
Alternatives to protecting these are to leave a faucet with a small drip as this generally allows the water to flow in cold water supply lines keeping it from freezing. If the water supply is turned off to these fixtures, be sure and visually check for leaks once the temp is above freezing and water is turned back on, as commonly, a frozen water fixture will burst and leak when it thaws out.
• Filling the drafts: A simple way to keep the cold weather out of areas is to fill all the drafty gaps and holes. This is simple to detect during the day as any small cracks that light comes through also allows cold air in and warm air out.
Check around all entry doors, areas where pipes enter the house and any access panels like crawl space openings. Cracks and holes around doors can be filled with foam weather stripping or in a pinch plain old masking tape will work. A general caulking (latex is preferred and available in an easy-to-use applicator tube and cartridge for a caulk gun) in a color close to what it will be applied to or simply clear.
•Cover all vents and unused window A/C units: Many houses and barns have vents (whirly-gigs) on the roof to draw the heat out of the space. These can be covered with canvas, vent or A/C covers, or simply a garbage bag secured with twine, wire, tape, or zip ties.
• Keep the water pump and pump house warm: If you h ave underground water supply and a pump, these need to be inside an insulated structure or wrapped with insulation or insulated blankets. If the pump house is not insulated for freezing temps, a small electric or propane heater can help keep the area above freezing.
• Windows: Drafty leaking windows let much cold air in and warm air out. Most ) hardware and mega marts have a heat shrink window plastic film that, according to directions, is easy to install. If this isn't available, plain old plastic (if possible, clear) in a size that will cover the window works as well. This can be applied on the inside or outside and secured with tape or staples. It is not uncommon to see folks using a tarp or blanket to simply cover the window until warmer days come.
• Outside plants: If you cannot bring plants inside to warmth, these plants can be covered with blankets, tarps, or plastic. Place something heavy here and there around the edges to secure or, if you can, tie around the base with rope or twine, uncover when temps rise above freezing.
• Animals: Any pets should be allowed inside the h ouse or warm structure. Outdoor animals at least need some type of cover to get to and warm bedding of straw or similar product. Be sure they have access to water and break the ice if needed. An old cure for water is to use a crock pot set on low. Of course, there are many water thawing items for sale.
• Old vehicles: Many folks h ave an old work truck or utilityvehicle. These vehicles often h ave a r a diator or water-cooling system . If so, check the water reservoir for anti freeze and add if needed. This brings to mind seeing one man simply cut the bottom radiator hose on an old farm truck to drain the water so that it would not freeze. Of course, this method would be extreme, but in a pinch definitely better than allowing the system to freeze and burst causing permanent damage.
Some plain old rules of thumb and common sense can go along way when it comes to winterizing. Professionally, I have done a lot of each. Keep in mind, if cold air can get in and warm air can get out, it will. When it pertains to water whether st anding or in a pipe, and is exposed to freezing temp, it will freeze. If you can do anything to keep items that are not used to or that shouldn't be cold, do it. If you have already weatherized your place and things, good job. If the cold snap has reminded you to weatherize then hop to it! If neither of the above has worked, possibly this article will h elp motivate because one thing is for sure winter is upon Marshall County.
About Tom Stewart: Owner operator of construction I building company commercial and residential, contracting, estimating, material estimating, flooring store, custom cabinet and furniture shop, and fo under I operator of 15 fleet Pro Handyman company in Texas and Oklahoma since 1986.