If the snow earlier this month was the appetizer of winter, that means the main course is still ahead of us. As the temperatures start to drop and winter arrives, now is the perfect time to prepare your home for the colder months ahead. Taking a few simple steps now can help you avoid frozen pipes, costly repairs, and chilly surprises when the temperature really plummets.

Protect Your Pipes with Heat Tape

If your home has heat tape installed, now is the time to inspect it and turn it on. You can walk around your home and check that the tape is in good condition with no visible damage or wear. Once you’ve confirmed everything looks good, please switch it on before the first hard freeze arrives. This simple step can save you from the headache and expense of frozen or burst pipes.

Seal in the Warmth

For those of you with insulated skirting around your home, make sure to close all vents. This helps trap warm air underneath your home and provides an extra layer of protection against freezing temperatures. It’s a small action that makes a big difference in keeping your home cozy and your pipes safe.

Don’t Forget Your Outdoor Faucets

Garden hoses should be disconnected from all outdoor faucets and stored away for the season. Water left in hoses can freeze and cause damage to both the hose and your faucet. After disconnecting your hoses, consider using a faucet protector (available at The New Durham hardware store) to insulate your outdoor faucets. These inexpensive covers provide an extra layer of protection against freeze-ups.

A Few Community Reminders

While you’re taking care of your winter prep, here are a few other important reminders to keep our community looking its best:

Please keep all pets on a leash and remember to pick up after them. We all share this space, and respecting our neighbors helps everyone enjoy living here. Outside tents and tarps should be taken down after each use, and lawn clippings or small sticks need to be placed in paper lawn bags and set on the curb for our crew to collect.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Winterization is one of those tasks that’s easy to put off until “next weekend,” but taking action now means peace of mind all winter long. If you have any questions about preparing your home for winter or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to the office.

Stay warm, and here’s to a cozy winter ahead!