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| Do we even know what all this means? |
Ok, pat yourself on the
back, you survived a ‘polar vortex’(well… barely, right?). Did you even know there was such a
thing as a ‘polar vortex’ or that you would be expected to survive it?
According to Wikipedia, a ‘polar
vortex’ is cold-core low-pressure areas strengthening in the winter and
weakening in the summer due to their reliance upon the temperature differential
between the equator and the poles. (yawn)
But, here’s where I come in… with extreme changes in the temperature pressures
from season to season, your home could experience a terrible beating if not
properly prepared. What kind of damage did your home experience these past
couple of weeks? What kind of home repairs are you looking at now because it
wasn't prepared for those freezing temperatures?
Believe it or not, we are
most likely going to see another ‘polar vortex’ in our lifetime. When it comes
to the most valuable investment you have (your home), precautionary measures
are wise to get ahead of the game and to be prepared for the next weather
storm.
Extreme weather conditions
require homeowners to make short term adjustments during extreme times, but
these simple adjustments can save thousands of dollars. Did you know that if a
pipe breaks on the street side of your water meter, it is the city’s expense - but if a pipe breaks
on the house side of your water meter, it is your
expense? Something as simple as placing a bail of straw over the water meter (a
$5.00 fix) could save you a lot of money in the long run.
With the following simple
questions, a minimal amount of cash and a little time set aside for necessary
projects, you can weather out the next ‘polar vortex’ (literally) with a cup of
hot coffee, a great book, a warm fire in the fireplace and no worries.
Are you ready to get started? OK, ask
yourself this:
“Did I have a pipe freeze and/or burst?”
- Maybe there is a lack of
insulation around your pipes
- Maybe there is no shut off valve
installed for your exterior faucets
- Maybe your pipes are exposed or
have minimal protection (especially if they are located in an unheated
attic or basement)
- Maybe you didn't leave your
faucet dripping as the temperatures reached the freezing point (Continual
water flow, even if slight, can decrease the possibility of water
freezing)
- Maybe your water heater is located in the garage, and you didn't increase the temperature on your thermostat and crack the connecting house door to the garage
“Did I notice air infiltration around windows and doors?”
- Maybe your windows need replaced
- Maybe your weather stripping needs replaced
There are three things that will make you money in your home:
- PROPER INSULATION
- EFFICIENT WINDOWS AND DOORS
- PROPERLY SIZED AND EFFICIENT HVAC
SYSTEMS
These three things can save you money and if you are saving money – you are making money, right? Just about everything else in
your home costs you money
but by upgrading these items, over time you will save enough money to pay for the upgrades and
whatever else is costing you money in your home! (I will cover these three items a little bit further in detail in a
future post)
Above all, remember
to be safe and be prepared.
