With our current weather settled in the “super cold/below freezing” zone, our Warranty Department thought it was the right time to give you some tips and reminders on how to take care of your Beacon home.
How to Winterize Your Home
- Remove hoses from water spigots. While the spigots are freeze resistant, if the hose is still attached, it can cause an ice block which may cause a leak when thawing.
- Shut sprinkler system off. Set your RainBird sprinkler system’s control box to the “off” position prior to and during sub-freezing temperatures.
- Know where your water cut-off valve is located. Broken pipes may not become noticeable until thawing begins. If this happens, immediately shut off the water at your home’s shut-off valve and call your plumber. In your Beacon home, the shut-off valve is located in the closet with your water heater. There is an additional shut-off in your yard. Call us if you need help finding yours.
- Have an alternate plumber available. While we hope you will continue to use the services of the plumber who helped us build your home, you are not required to unless you are still under warranty. In extreme conditions (such as persistent sub-freezing temperatures), it is possible that your plumber may be inundated with calls and unable to provide service right away. Prompt attention is necessary to limit further damage to your home, so we suggest having another plumber on stand-by.
- Prepare ahead of time. If you haven’t already done so, before the next arctic blast, disconnect all hoses from your home; cover your outdoor spigots; open the doors of cabinets containing plumbing on exterior walls; winterize and/or seek professional advice on your sprinkler system, water features, or pools.
- If your heating system shuts off, it could be caused by sensors doing their job. Sensors monitor the condensation line and will shut off the system due to irregularities such as frozen condensation lines. Call your HVAC provider for service or advice.
Following these guidelines (and consulting your Beacon Homeowner Guide) will help keep your home in good condition during this brutally cold weather. And remember, Spring is really only a few weeks away!
