Plumbing and Pipes
Insulate pipes in unheated areas: crawl spaces, basements, and exterior walls. Seal gaps where cold air can reach pipes. If you have outdoor faucets, shut off their supply from inside and drain them. During extreme cold, letting a trickle of water run from faucets on exterior walls can help prevent freezing. Know where your main water shutoff is so you can turn off water quickly if a pipe bursts.
Heating and Insulation
Have your heating system serviced before the cold sets in. Replace furnace filters and ensure vents and baseboards are unobstructed. Check attic and basement insulation and seal obvious drafts around windows and doors. Good insulation and air sealing lower bills and reduce the chance of ice dams on the roof.
Exterior and Emergency Prep
Clean gutters so melting snow can drain; consider roof snow removal if you have a flat or low-pitch roof. Trim branches that could fall on the house. Keep salt or ice melt on hand for walkways and steps. If you're going away, set the heat to at least 55°F and consider having someone check the property. For bigger upgrades (insulation, pipe insulation, or heating repairs), a Rhode Island contractor can help. We do property maintenance and repairs to keep your home safe and efficient through the season.