Anonymous
Post 01/23/2026 05:47     Subject: It's gonna get really really cold - home checklist
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
Post 01/23/2026 05:30     Subject: Re:It's gonna get really really cold - home checklist
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
Post 01/23/2026 04:20     Subject: It's gonna get really really cold - home checklist
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
Post 01/23/2026 01:47     Subject: It's gonna get really really cold - home checklist
Anonymous wrote:You don't need to do any of that stuff except take care of the spigots.


Agree.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 14:03     Subject: It's gonna get really really cold - home checklist
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
Post 01/22/2026 13:12     Subject: It's gonna get really really cold - home checklist
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Also check your windshield wiper fluid level.


Why?


Because you might want to clean your dirty windshield.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 12:38     Subject: It's gonna get really really cold - home checklist
Anonymous wrote:Also check your windshield wiper fluid level.


Why?
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 11:41     Subject: It's gonna get really really cold - home checklist
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
Post 01/22/2026 09:32     Subject: It's gonna get really really cold - home checklist
Also check your windshield wiper fluid level.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 23:11     Subject: Re:It's gonna get really really cold - home checklist
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
Post 01/21/2026 23:09     Subject: It's gonna get really really cold - home checklist
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.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 21:52     Subject: Re:It's gonna get really really cold - home checklist
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
Post 01/21/2026 21:48     Subject: Re:It's gonna get really really cold - home checklist
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
Post 01/21/2026 21:24     Subject: It's gonna get really really cold - home checklist
I’ve never turned the outdoor spigot off once.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 21:20     Subject: It's gonna get really really cold - home checklist
I forgot to do my spigots earlier, so what to do now? Dammit.