Despite some beliefs, colder weather won’t prevent you from experiencing basement floods, other plumbing issues, or problems with your heating. So, how can you avoid costly repairs and potentially save yourself thousands of dollars? FirstBank has you covered.

Here are some of the common troubles the winter season can bring to homes. 

1. Letting pipes freeze and burst.

With winter comes low temperatures that can put the plumbing in your home at risk of cracking or bursting, especially the ones in an attic or basement. According to the US Department of Energy, you have a high probability (70%+) of your pipes freezing, especially if you live in Colorado or a colder weather state. Even parts of northern Arizona are in the 90% category, while most of the state sits in the 30-50% range. This can be a costly repair ranging from $500 to $3,000 in severe cases.

There are some measures you can take to help prevent this. 

1. Disconnect outside hoses.

Remember to remove and drain all of your outside hoses. Make sure to close off any inside valves that connect to the outdoor faucet. You can leave the outdoor faucet open to let any remaining water drain out. Purchasing an outdoor faucet protector can help as well. 

2. Check for exposed pipes.

Insulation can help raise the temperature around the pipes to lower the chance of it bursting. You can install a pipe sleeve, heat tape, and heat cable as other alternative installation methods. 

3. Keep faucets dripping during extra cold nights.

Opening the kitchen and bathroom cabinets along with leaving a slight drip can help prevent pipes from freezing. Check and see if you have water pipes in the garage and either protect them or try to keep the garage door closed as much as possible. 

Even taking all of the precautions will not guarantee your pipes won’t give in to the cold and freeze. If you turn on the water in your kitchen sink and only a small trickle comes out, you may have a frozen pipe. If this happens, leave the faucet on, locate the frozen area, and apply heat to that section with a space heater or an electric hair dryer. The American Red Cross urges everyone to never use a blow torch, propane heater, or any open flame device to unfreeze a pipe. If you are not able to locate or unthaw the pipe, you can contact a licensed plumber. 

2. Allowing heating bills to increase.

When the air outside is colder, your heater has to work harder to keep your house warm. On top of that, if your windows are constantly letting cold air in, that can cost you extra money, considering heating your home uses more energy than any other system in your house.

Here’s how you can prevent that from happening:  

1. Program the thermostat.

The average American spends between $6,000 to $7,200 a year on utilities, according to Homeguide. Setting the thermostat back 7-10 degrees for 8 hours a day can save you 10% on your bill over the course of a year. A good way to do this is to program the thermostat to be cooler for the hours you will not be in the home during the day. However, adjusting the temperature daily is not recommended for homes using heat pumps. If you have a heat pump, the U.S Department of Energy shared some ways you could save. The location of the thermostat is essential to your system operating correctly. You should have it on an interior wall that avoids direct sunlight and make sure it’s not placed behind furniture that can block airflow. 

2. Check your doors and windows.

You can weatherstrip or caulk any gaps you find to help block the cold air from getting in. Placing a plastic film or a heavy-duty plastic sheet securely around the window is another option. Inspect for any other air leaks around your home from common places such as fireplaces, air vents, roof, or any hole that leads outside the house.

3. Heating system repairs. 

It’s recommended to schedule regular service checks for the heating system in your home. Cleaning or replacing filters on your furnace every 1-3 months is a good way to keep the system running smoothly. Double-check baseboard heaters, radiators, and registers are not blocked by furniture or carpet/curtains.

If you’re not sure what kind of heating system you have, most homes are heated with a furnace or a boiler. The U.S. Department of Energy can assist you with identifying and maintaining whichever one you may have. 

3. Not preventing house fires/carbon monoxide poisoning.

Did you know that house fires increase during the fall and winter, according to the American Red Cross. In fact, keeping your home warm for the winter can also be the leading cause of US home fires. Having fire extinguishers or a family fire escape plan are two critical elements to surviving a fire, but there are some ways you can help prevent one. 

1. Fireplace safety.

Check for Creosote build-up that lingers in the chimney. Creosote is a black tar-like substance that covers the inside of a chimney after burning wood. A professional chimney sweep can assist with removing Creosote from your home. You can have your chimney inspected and cleaned every year. 

2. Smoke detectors.

Having a working smoke detector can prevent your risk of dying in a house fire by 55%. It’s imperative you not only have several throughout your house but also ensure they’re operating efficiently. For example, installing hardwired smoke detectors helps alert the entire house and anyone inside a fire. If you have battery-operated smoke detectors, keep a schedule to check or replace the batteries. It’s advised that you check batteries monthly and replace them annually. It’s also recommended to replace smoke detectors in the home every ten years. You can check the date by looking at the back of the unit for the manufacture date.

3. Keep portable generators outside. 

A portable generator can be crucial for a power outage during a winter storm. The problem is when the generator is too close to the home, it becomes a fire hazard. Generators can also cause carbon monoxide poisoning if they’re not placed in a well-ventilated area. The American Red Cross provides several useful tips on generator safety.

4. Install carbon monoxide detectors.

It’s important to know that carbon monoxide poisoning (CO) increases during the winter months. Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that builds up in the home when fuel, such as gasoline, wood, and propane, does not burn off completely. (CO) alarms should be installed in each sleeping area around the house and on every level of the home. Here is additional information on CO and if you fear you may have been exposed. 

Planning and saving for any potential unexpected repairs this winter can put you a step ahead of the cold winter months and prevent expensive repairs.

You only have to make it to March 20, 2025, when the official first day of Spring is here. Then you can look forward to all the fun spring cleaning.

FirstBank is here to help you plan for any season, check out efirstbankblog.com for more ways to save and budget. 

*This article is for informational use only. FirstBank is not providing financial advice. Please consult a financial planner or tax advisor.

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Published: February 5, 2025