It's gonna get really really cold - home checklist

[Anonymous]

Check and replace your air filters.

The extreme cold is already going to stress your system. Make sure your filters don't make it harder for things.

[Anonymous]

New home owner. Thanks for alerting me to the drip. We are in a rowhouse but the basement bathroom and half-kitchen get very cold. I’m concerned. Same for a half bath that was once a sleeping porch and appears not to be insulated as much as I would have expected (it has a radiator but still chilly)

[Anonymous]

I have one outdoor faucet that can’t be shut off without turning off the water for the whole house. Am I screwed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don't need to do any of that stuff except take care of the spigots.

Too late for spigots. It’s late January people. You should’ve done it early December latest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Charge the devices, especially the kindle.
Move the giant bag of ice melt to a more accessible spot.
Snacks.

Done!

Some people with long driveways put their car at the end so they don't have to shovel the whole thing to get out in an emergency.

Thanks, I always forget to do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have one outdoor faucet that can’t be shut off without turning off the water for the whole house. Am I screwed?

Are you sure? Well even if that is the case you can still put on an outdoor faucet cover. You can wrap the faucet (socks, rags, etc.) before putting the cover on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New home owner. Thanks for alerting me to the drip. We are in a rowhouse but the basement bathroom and half-kitchen get very cold. I’m concerned. Same for a half bath that was once a sleeping porch and appears not to be insulated as much as I would have expected (it has a radiator but still chilly)

Chilly is okay. It's January. It's chilly everywhere. Is it cold enough to freeze? I doubt that. If you are really worried about basement, turn space heater on (but very low setting). Personally, that would worry me more than internal pipe freezing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have one outdoor faucet that can’t be shut off without turning off the water for the whole house. Am I screwed?

Are you sure? Well even if that is the case you can still put on an outdoor faucet cover. You can wrap the faucet (socks, rags, etc.) before putting the cover on.

We haven’t had an issue yet but maybe we have more insulation or a warmer house. If you haven’t don’t the winter cation yet, what’s the downside to doing it now? There would already be water in your pipes that’s frozen and your pipes cracked. Seems unlikely you wouldn’t know as it’s been warm enough for water to run out.

TL, DR: just do it now and you should be ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have one outdoor faucet that can’t be shut off without turning off the water for the whole house. Am I screwed?

Are you sure? Well even if that is the case you can still put on an outdoor faucet cover. You can wrap the faucet (socks, rags, etc.) before putting the cover on.

+1. That is really funky design. I've never seen that. But, like PP said, wrap the faucet with something, and cover it up with cover (even plastic shopping bags and tie it down

[Anonymous]

Looks like tomorrow (Thursday) will be warmer day. Good day to take care of it.

[Anonymous]

I forgot to do my spigots earlier, so what to do now? Dammit.

[Anonymous]

I’ve never turned the outdoor spigot off once.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have one outdoor faucet that can’t be shut off without turning off the water for the whole house. Am I screwed?

Are you sure? Well even if that is the case you can still put on an outdoor faucet cover. You can wrap the faucet (socks, rags, etc.) before putting the cover on.

+1. That is really funky design. I've never seen that. But, like PP said, wrap the faucet with something, and cover it up with cover (even plastic shopping bags and tie it down

Similar situation here in a SFH. Recently moved in and NO ONE (plumbers, inspector, contractors) can find a shutoff for outdoor hoses. There’s one for the house, but not the hoses. 1950s colonial. Not sure if it doesn’t exist or a previous owner covered it in drywall or something. Argh. Thanks so much for these tips!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have one outdoor faucet that can’t be shut off without turning off the water for the whole house. Am I screwed?

Are you sure? Well even if that is the case you can still put on an outdoor faucet cover. You can wrap the faucet (socks, rags, etc.) before putting the cover on.

+1. That is really funky design. I've never seen that. But, like PP said, wrap the faucet with something, and cover it up with cover (even plastic shopping bags and tie it down

Similar situation here in a SFH. Recently moved in and NO ONE (plumbers, inspector, contractors) can find a shutoff for outdoor hoses. There’s one for the house, but not the hoses. 1950s colonial. Not sure if it doesn’t exist or a previous owner covered it in drywall or something. Argh. Thanks so much for these tips!

My old house was like this. In 11 years we never could find it. It luckily never froze.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Outdoor faucets should have been done at the beginning of the season, but better late than never. Clear out your gutters of any packed leaves.

Bring the snow shovel out of the shed/garage and put it by the front door. Figure out where your ice melt is.

Get the scrapers and brushes out of your car and put them by the door.

Check fit of kids’ snow gear and acquire new sizes as needed.

Find your snow boots, match up everyone’s mittens and gloves, get a drying rack and large towel/rug for main entry ready.

Make sure you have a solar-powered lantern or other source of non-electric light. If you use candles (CAREFULLY!), find the matches/lighter.

Think about what you can make for food if the power goes out. If you have a gas stove, find the matches/lighter. The good news is, you don’t have to worry about keeping refrigerated items cold — put them in a cooler outside.

Buy all the wine/chocolate/snacks/lube/whatever gets you through. Enjoy them yourself or offer them to the neighbor with the snowblower.

Ask your neighborhood listserv about teens looking for shoveling and/or mother’s helper jobs. Let someone with more energy clear your driveway or take your kids sledding.

PREPARE TO CLEAR OFF YOUR DAMN CAR! Swiping a porthole in the windshield doesn’t cut it. And if you can’t figure out how to get the snow off the top, you shouldn’t be allowed out in public unchaperoned.

I love you and would like for you to come organize my whole life. I got most of that, but do always forget to get the scraper out of the car.