Home Preparation for Winter Weather

At ARK Homes for Rent, we want to help you prepare your home to handle winter weather like ice, snow, and extreme cold.Here are some helpful tips:

Drain Outdoor Faucets: Shut off the water supply to outdoor faucets, then open them to drain any remaining water.
Insulate Pipes: Install water pipe sleeves or heat tape to insulate exposed pipes and prevent freezing.
Disconnect Outdoor Hoses: Remove water hoses from outdoor faucets to avoid freezing damage.
Open Sink Cabinets: Keep cabinet doors under sinks open to let warmer air circulate around pipes.
Change Filters: Replace HVAC filters regularly to keep your heating system running efficiently.
Check Vents: Keep dryer vents and furnace exhausts free of snow build-up.
Let Faucets Drip: During extreme cold, allow indoor faucets to drip or trickle to help prevent freezing.
Clean Gutters: Remove leaves and debris to prevent ice dams.
Clear Snow: Maintain sidewalks and comply with local snow removal regulations.
Generator Safety: Generators should be used outside and at least 20 feet away from your home to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
Test Detectors: Ensure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are functional with fresh batteries.
Space Heater Safety: Keep flammable materials away from space heaters and turn them off before sleeping.
Check Fireplaces: Ensure fireplaces are properly vented to avoid gas leaks.
Retain Heat: Close blinds and curtains, and shut doors to unused rooms. Use storm windows if available.

Other Helpful Winter Weather Tips

Medicine: Ensure you have enough prescription medication.
Food and Water: Keep a 3–7 day supply of non-perishable food and bottled water.
Emergency Supplies: Have flashlights, batteries, a battery-powered radio, and a first-aid kit.
Coolers with Ice: Use coolers with ice to keep food from spoiling if necessary.

If something breaks or you need assistance with maintenance, submit a service request through ARK Homes For Rent.