Dallas Realtor Association Provides Advice to Avoid Cold Weather Repairs
January 7, 2010 by Kenneth Cox · Leave a Comment
MetroTex Association of Realtors | Dallas Realtors
Just a quick note from the MetroTex Association of Realtors. Make sure you prepare your home for the Artic Weather that has moved into the Dallas area with freezing temperatures. Dallas, Texas is experiencing the coldest weather since 1996, which has caught many offgaurd with deficient heater systems. If you own a home, make sure you have your heater system or furnace serviced at least twice a year to ensure maximum efficiency and performance. The Dallas Morning News has reported a number of residences that are completely without heat due to extreme cold weather conditions. The number of reported heating system repairs has increased at an alarming rate within the last mostly because of rountine maintenace service calls that were not completed. Another major problem during the cold weather season is freezing pipes. MetroTex Association of Realtors has included steps below to assist in avoiding costly repairs due to extreme weather conditions.
MetroTex Dallas Realtors Cold Weather Precautions:
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Insulate pipes in your home’s crawl spaces and attic. These exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing. The more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be.
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Heat tape or thermostatically-controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes.
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Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out and the heat in. With severe cold, even a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze.
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Disconnect garden hoses and, if possible, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house. If you don’t have a separate valve to turn off outside water, wrap or cover faucets or hose bibs with an insulating material.
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Letting a faucet drip during extreme cold weather can prevent a pipe from bursting. Opening a faucet will provide relief from the excessive pressure that builds between the faucet and the ice blockage when freezing occurs. A dripping faucet wastes some water, so only pipes vulnerable to freezing (ones that run through an unheated or unprotected space) should be left with the water flowing.
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Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.
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Wrap outdoor pipes in newspapers or insulation and cover with plastic.
MetroTex Association of Realtors | Dallas Realtors
If you have questions on how to secure your home for cold weather conditions in Dallas, contact one of our Dallas Realtors. If you own a home in Dallas, make sure you are prepared for the unexpected! Our agents can assist you with questions and securing a home warranty policy in Dallas.
