With bad weather heading into our area, we want to make sure that you are prepared. Even if you have reviewed checklists like this before, it’s always great to have a refresher right before a storm.
Whether you need plumbing, electrical, or furnace service in Hinsdale, IL, our team is here to help. You can review the checklist below to learn more about ways to prepare your home for a snowstorm. Then give our team a call you have any concerns or need service now or after the storm.
Heating Checklist
One of the best things you can do for your heater before a storm is to make sure the outside exhaust remains free from snow and ice buildup. Of course, you shouldn’t venture out during the storm, but before and after a storm this is one of the first things you should look at.
It’s also good idea to set your heater a few degrees higher before a snow storm hits. This way, if you lose power, you have a little extra heat already built up inside of your home. To keep that heat in, we encourage you to check windows and doors to make sure that seals are secure so heat cannot easily escape.
Now may not be the time to install new weatherstripping or address major needs, but in the short term you can roll up a towel and set an along a window or door that you are concerned about. We also encourage you to go ahead and gather blankets, jackets, and even hats and gloves so that you can stay warm in the case of a power outage.
Plumbing Checklist
We encourage you to buy protective covers for the outdoor water faucets around your home. A simple covering may not seem like much, but it can go along way toward protecting your pipes from freezing. You can also protect your home’s plumbing from the inside by opening cabinet doors in your kitchen and bathroom so that those pipes are exposed to the warmth of your home.
If you’re going to be away from home during a storm, you should still leave the heat on. Keeping your home a consistently warm temperature goes along way toward preventing your pipes from freezing. You can also drip faucet as an added precaution to keep water moving gently through the lines.
Electrical Checklist
If you have any remaining outdoor decorations left up from the holiday season, now is a great time to take those down, or at least unplug them. Water and electricity don’t mix, and a snowstorm increases the risk of electrical problems outside.
Inside your home, you can prepare by charging up electronic devices that you may need to access like phones, tablets, and laptops. If you have any extra battery packs, be sure to charge those as well.
Contact Althoff Home Services today to schedule an appointment with our professionals. Chicago’s Choice Since 1961. Hand It Off to Althoff!