It’s getting colder, it’s definitely darker, and the trees are showing off their winter silhouettes.
Here at the City, our crews have spent the last several weeks “winterizing” all around town. You might notice that the drinking fountains have been turned off and the irrigation systems have been drained. Both will have water flowing again the in spring.
Many of us will be digging out holiday decorations or sprucing up our homes to welcome visitors, so why not add to a handful of winterization items to this list to prepare for winter weather? Here are some “to-dos” 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 off. Store hoses out of the weather and use insulated covers for hose bibs.
- Exposed pipes – If you have pipes in an unheated area (ex: 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 and shrubs and plant trees! Okay, 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, and a fresh cut in the winter both 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. Check out Tualatin’s Climate Action Plan (www.tualatincap.com) for more energy saving tips. Have questions or want to chat? The Public Works team is happy to help! www.tualatin.gov/publicworks or 503-691-3091.
