Man is it getting cold outside! As I'm publishing this post it feels like snow could be right around the corner too. This is our Sherwood Oregon home in the snow storm of 2008 - that was a very cold year!
Winterization Tips for Your Oregon Home
Disconnect all garden hoses from hose bibs / Cover hose bibs and foundation vents. Shut off the water to the outside pipes and drain them. The shut off for the outside pipes is usually near where the water enters the home or water heater. In some Oregon homes it is in the main or master bathroom or at the kitchen sink. Please note that some of the newer homes have freeze proof pipes that cannot be drained. Cover hose bibs and foundation vents with Styrofoam insulation cups and covers; you can purchase these from any home improvement or hardware store.
Check gutters and roof. Clear debris from gutters / downspouts. Cleaning them out will prevent water from building up and freezing in the gutters. Remove moss build up from roofs; replace worn shingles or tiles.
Leave heat on. You should maintain electricity / gas to your Oregon home at all times. A minimum temperature of 60 degrees must be maintained when the exterior temperature is 32 degrees or below. When the temperature drops below freezing, leave cupboard doors open (kitchen, bathroom, etc.) so the pipes under these cupboards can be exposed to the interior heat. If the temperature stays below freezing, you should open both hot and cold taps and allow the faucets to drip. Keep both on, because hot water lines freeze first.
Test your smoke detectors. Once a month check each unit in your Oregon home to ensure that they are working properly.
Clean or replace your furnace filters. This will keep your furnaces running efficiently, and will save you a substantial amount of money on your heating bill. Permanent filters can be hosed down or vacuumed; disposable filters can be replaced at minimal cost and can be found at most home improvement stores. If you have an oil furnace, you should never let it run dry; you should sign up for an automatic fill program with the oil company.
Notify someone. If you leave town during extreme weather conditions, please be sure to have checked all the above items and instructions. Notify a neighbor or friend of your absence so someone can check on your home.
If after all of the precautions your pipes do freeze, and you want to thaw out the lines, please use a hair dryer, heat lamp or electric heater. Don’t use an open flame.
Winterization to protect your Oregon Home by your friends at John L. Scott Real Estate :)
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