It’s been pretty chilly lately. Here at the City, our crews have “winterized” all around town. You might notice that the drinking fountains are turned off, and the irrigation systems are drained. Both will have water flowing again in the spring.
We’re still smack in the middle of winter, so it’s not too late to add a handful of winterization tasks to our to-do lists to prevent property damage, save energy, and stay warm all season long.
Outside
Irrigation – Drain the lines and turn the system off to prevent lines from bursting in freezing temperatures.
Outdoor faucets and hoses – Drain them and turn them off. Store hoses out of the weather and use insulated covers for hose bibs.
Exposed pipes – If you have pipes in an unheated area (i.e., crawl space, attic, garage), cover them with insulating sleeves/wraps or use a heat cable.
Gutters and Downspouts – Clean them out. Doing so will remove any leaves and debris that could prevent proper water flow and cause ice build-up.
Inside
Find the gaps – Cold air can creep in through windows, doors, and siding, so check and replace weatherstripping and caulking to seal any gaps. Window film, door draft guards, rugs, and thermal curtains can also help keep indoor temps warm.
Going out of town – Depending on how long you’re gone, prep can be as simple as opening cabinet doors so warm air can reach the pipes under sinks and keeping the thermostat at a steady temperature. If you’re heading out for a longer stint, turn your water off at the main shutoff. That way, if frozen pipes do crack, you’ll have far less damage.
Reverse your ceiling fans – A simple way to reduce heating costs and energy use is to let your ceiling fans do the work. In winter months, set them to rotate in a clockwise direction to spread warm air near the ceiling down into the room.
Bonus Points!
Prune trees/shrubs and plant trees! This won’t necessarily help keep you warm, but it’s a good time to do this kind of work. Pruning when plants are dormant is less stressful for the plants. A fresh cut in the winter heals more quickly and is less likely to be impacted by pests and diseases. Plus, once leaves have fallen, you can see exactly where to prune!
These are just some of the ways that a little winterizing can help you and your home.
Have questions or want to chat? The Public Works team is happy to help! tualatin.gov/publicworks or 503-691-3091
