Tips To Prepare For Long Duration Freezing Weather Events

[srainhoutx]

Thought I would start a Topic that we can discuss tip to prepare property, pipes, plants etc... for the Very Hard Freezing Event forecast for much of the Southern Plains, Deep South and Florida.

[JonathanBelles]

Yea, Local met just said it has been the "Coldest stretch in the last quarter century" --Local BN9 Met

[RL3AO]

Wear a coat.

[cycloneye]

This is an important topic so I put the thread with a sticky for the next few days.

[srainhoutx]

I see folks have asked about washing machines that are out doors. You can add a quart of antifreeze and set it on the spin cycle and with the water already in the pump, it should protect it. Of course you may want to contact an appliance company for some further details and questions regarding any damage that could occur to your appliance. Alos those with swimming pools should leave the pool pumps running dring the duration of the event as to not freeze the pumps, filtration system etc...

[srainhoutx]

Turn off lawn irrigation systems as soon as possible. These cause major problems if left on and will cause ice to form on sidewalks and roadways. These systems are a major cause of loss of water pressure as lines freeze and leak for city water systems as well as fire fighting needs.

[attallaman]

I see folks have asked about washing machines that are out doors. You can add a quart of antifreeze and set it on the spin cycle and with the water already in the pump, it should protect it. Of course you may want to contact an appliance company for some further details and questions regarding any damage that could occur to your appliance. Alos those with swimming pools should leave the pool pumps running dring the duration of the event as to not freeze the pumps, filtration system etc...

I went to Lowe's today and bought some foam wrap to cover both water lines connected to my washer, plan to also hook up a trouble light with about a 60 to 75 watt bulb and hang that on the back of the washer shining light on the faucets which I also plan to cover and hope that works. I did it several years ago and it worked so hopefully it'll work again. Good idea to start this thread because I'm sure there are others who like myself don't have much experience in winterizing a house when having to deal with such cold temperatures here in the deep south.

[Stephanie]

Detach all outside hoses from the spigots to prevent freezing of the pipes.

I would also buy foam insulation for your sink pipes that face the outside wall to prevent them from freezing.

Close all blinds, shades and drapes at night to help insulate the house. We do open ours doing the day to let the sun shine in.

If you do happen to have detachable storm windows (that replace the screen windows), switch them out now.

[WeatherLovingDoc]

Not a bad idea to check your clothing dryer's outflow vent to ensure it's open to allow heat egress. Snow and ice blockage, as well as excess lint accumulation, is a fire hazard. And what about checking your battery powered fire, C02 alarms while you're at it?

How about your prescriptions? Most prescription plans allow for a one month extra bottle during severe weather, travel, family emergency or the like.

It's cold here near Reagan National Airport, 25 feeling like 14 F with the wind, though the arctic blasts shaking the house are less frequent.

Good luck everyone.
WLD

[Texas2Florida]

If all of my water lines for sinks, washer etc are on inside walls, do i need to take any additional precautions?

[vbhoutex]

Don't forget to use foam pipe wrap for the pipes in the attic, especially on any that are close to outside walls or not already covered by insuslation.

[Texas2Florida]

I dont think I have any pipes in the attic, it's an old house without much insulation in the attic..its actually a rent house I own, someone lives in it. There are those foam thingys on the 2 outside hose spigots, those are the only exposed pipes besides underneath the sinks.

[attallaman]

Don't forget to use foam pipe wrap for the pipes in the attic, especially on any that are close to outside walls or not already covered by insuslation.

I'm glad I don't have to deal with any pipes in the attic but that's a good point because some of the newer homes here have their water heaters installed in the attic. I'll keep mine in the utility room on ground level.

[goCoogs]

Thanks for starting this topic. I'm in my 1st house. My wife and I bought it in April. Tomorrow I'll go in the attic and make sure all the pipes are well insulated. The hot water heater is up there so I know I have pipes up there.

[WeatherLovingDoc]

If all of my water lines for sinks, washer etc are on inside walls, do i need to take any additional precautions?

If those indoor pipes are set inside a closet or other closed area and near an outside wall, you might want to insulate them. For a double stacker washer/dryer, for example, you may need to pull the machine out to check on the water pipes.

One winter I opened my back door to water pouring out from my washer/dryer closet due to a burst water pipe. I scampered around down in the basement, looking for a RED-PAINTED MAIN HOUSE WATER TURN OFF VALVE (which I luckily found), but still the water was substantial. We ended up better insulating the pipes etc...So it can happen (must have been in the upper 20's then).

[somethingfunny]

Wear a coat.

Maybe two coats and some PJs under your jeans too. And cover your head for goodness sakes!

[Dionne]

This is also a good time to put some dry gas in your vehicles gas tank and do a fill up.

[Dave]

If your power goes out and you are using alternative heat source such as a kerosene space heater, fireplace and/or wood stove make sure to use fire safeguards and ventilate properly.

[Dionne]

GOES Eastern sure looks like the really cold air will arrive ahead of schedule. Some of the old timers around here that never look at puter images think similar. Be prepared early. All sorts of strange things happen to infrastructures when the system experiences unusual cold. Act like it's a CAT 3 from the north without the wind and water.....just the cold.

[MGC]

Being without water after a freeze is just as bad as not having A/C after a hurricane. I had pipes freeze in 1985....it sucked.....MGC