It's gonna get really really cold - home checklist

[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

We also have this situation. We are in a row house in DC and have a front spigot that does have an interior shut off and a rear one where I think they just drywalled over it - it’s a bedroom. I don’t know what they were thinking

[Anonymous]

Also check your windshield wiper fluid level.

[Anonymous]

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

People are massively overstating this. Just make sure the hoses are disconnected. The big problems occur when people leave hoses and the ice backs up into the house. I never turn them completely off. I never did it in NJ or MA where it actually gets cold. And it won't even be that cold next week. So you have nothing to worry about. If you're really concerned, pop a cover on the spigots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also check your windshield wiper fluid level.

Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also check your windshield wiper fluid level.

Why?

Because you might want to clean your dirty windshield.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also check your windshield wiper fluid level.

Why?

Really? You have no idea why?

It'll be snowy. There will be salt. Everywhere. A lot of. You need to clean your windshields. Often.

But you're also probably that person who doesn't clean all the snow off their car.

[Anonymous]

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

Agree.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. Didnt see these listed so adding on:
Full tank of gas in all cars.
Towels by door for drying off after outside excursions and to absorb snow melt from boots and clothes.

[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.

My entire neighborhood lacks water shut offs beyond turning off the house at the meter. I had a toilet supply line break inside the wall a few years ago during 4th of July weekend and had to turn the water on and off every time we needed to use it for 2-3 days while waiting for a plumber to become available. The neighbors let me know we were all in the same boat afterward.

[Anonymous]

Is is common for the shutoff valve for the rear hose bib to be in a different place than the other water shutoff valves? I can only find the front hose bib valve

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is is common for the shutoff valve for the rear hose bib to be in a different place than the other water shutoff valves? I can only find the front hose bib valve

Its typically close to the actual rear bib.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is is common for the shutoff valve for the rear hose bib to be in a different place than the other water shutoff valves? I can only find the front hose bib valve

Its typically close to the actual rear bib.

My shutoff valves are like 15 feet away. When a previous owner gutted the house, they re-did all the water lines. If you have any little service cabinets, they could be in there. I have one behind my stacked washer and dryer - the shutoff valve for the washer water connection AND my hose bibs are in there.

Check all your wall nooks and crannies. Even in closets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also check your windshield wiper fluid level.

Why?

Really? You have no idea why?

It'll be snowy. There will be salt. Everywhere. A lot of. You need to clean your windshields. Often.

But you're also probably that person who doesn't clean all the snow off their car.

Actually, it freezes, so I was wondering why the rec to just add rather than add alcohol etc to reduce freezing temp. I find frozen fluid rather useless for this task. Was asking in case folks have found that a full reservoir is slower to freeze etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also check your windshield wiper fluid level.

Why?

Really? You have no idea why?

It'll be snowy. There will be salt. Everywhere. A lot of. You need to clean your windshields. Often.

But you're also probably that person who doesn't clean all the snow off their car.

Actually, it freezes, so I was wondering why the rec to just add rather than add alcohol etc to reduce freezing temp. I find frozen fluid rather useless for this task. Was asking in case folks have found that a full reservoir is slower to freeze etc.

Most windshield wiper fluids are good to -20F (and beyond). If not sure, check your container. You are being silly.

[Anonymous]

Do everything now that may require electricity - vacuum floors
- run dishwasher, have disposable cups and cutlery available
- complete laundry
- showers