With fall settled on the Mid-South region of the Memphis metro area, Mississippi, and Arkansas, it’s time to start thinking about the cooler days ahead. While winter won’t officially be here until the (winter solstice) on December 21st, leaving preparations until winter is here isn’t a good idea – having The Tub Pros get some work ahead of time in the kitchen and bathroom, can make the end of the year and the beginning of next year run more smoothly for you and your family.
While many people may think that it’s only outdoor chores that need to be done this time of year, there’s actually lots to do inside your home, too. There’s more to winter than lawn care and making sure that your home can withstand the harsher weather – doing interior tasks, like taking care of your plumbing and prepping for storms, can go a long way to making sure that you can spend your time enjoying time with family and friends, and not being waylaid by lack of planning.
Inevitably fall leaves will turn to blankets of the white stuff…but what exactly should you do to prepare for winter, and how can The Tub Pros help? Here, we’ll break down what you can do to make sure you’re prepared for the change of seasons, and let you know how The Tub Pros can save you money and time while making your home comfortable and functional for the winter holiday season.
Get your plumbing ready for cold weather
A hot shower and a steamy bath can be great on a cold winter day, though plumbing problems can mess up those relaxing plans. When water freezes inside pipes, it can cause them to crack and burst, which can leave you with a wet and soggy mess to clean up.
To avoid this, drain the water from hoses and sprinklers located outside. Install freeze cap faucet insulators. Consider insulating the walls or pipes in areas like garages, basements, and attics that aren’t heated. During very cold weather, keep garage doors shut to keep warm air in and open the cabinet doors under sinks to allow the warm air to circulate around the pipes. Letting the faucet run at a drip can also keep water from freezing and bursting pipes.
During very cold weather, keep your nighttime thermostat temperature a little warmer than usual if your windows are icing up on the inside. It is best to ensure that it doesn’t drop below 55 degrees inside the house, especially if you’re away. And ensure that you check that your water heater is set to “vacation mode” which will lower the internal temperature so that you are ready to go. Look into putting on a hot water heater insulation blanket if it is located outside the house in an exterior closet, garage, or in the attic. It’s also a good idea to take care of any repairs that need to be made on fixtures promptly. This will save you time and money upfront, by preventing costly and even deadly accidents and repairs down the road.
And make sure to review all of the steps you take during the use of your bathroom in the winter – non-slip mats can help you keep your feet off cold tiles, and can help prevent falls, as can accessibility features like grab bars or Safeway Steps. These can make warm baths and showers possible all winter even for other family members with limited mobility by providing help getting out of the bathtub and shower areas. This keeps the health benefits of bathing possible for everyone in your home.
Seal up drafts to save money
As you insulate pipes, that insulation can serve another purpose – keeping drafts out can keep your pipes and home warm, and help save money on your electric/utility bill. Make sure that windows and doors close firmly—weatherstripping can seal any gaps, or a door snake—a long bolster that blocks the gap to prevent light and drafts from getting in—can be an additional or less-permanent solution.
Blocking drafts with window clings designed to insulate your home can also help to keep cold out and warmth in, and blinds and curtains can do double-duty as décor and as insulation from the weather
Prepare for storms and stock your pantry
As you prepare your home to withstand the cold, you can also consider how to keep your belly warm and full. Knowing how to stock your pantry will help you and your family withstand isolating weather. Preparing for storms can make sheltering in place or losing power easier to deal with, and can make a big difference in keeping your family safe and comfortable.
While in hurricane season you might pack a hurricane bag, you can stock your house for winter storm preparedness in the winter months. Tools like flashlights, batteries, can openers, first aid kids, and an emergency weather radio are important to have on hand, as are prescription medications, pet food, baby food, and diapers, along with other special items that members of your family use every day.
Stocking up on food doesn’t have to be a hassle, either—keeping things on hand can help ensure that you have food that you’re able to use, even if you lose power. Canned goods, nut butters, cereal and granola, energy bars, and sealed snacks can all make sure that your family stays fed without power. Maintaining your generator, or having a wood fired or gas grill that you can use (outside and away from your house) can expand your options for easy meals in a storm—think everything from pasta to hot cocoa.
And don’t think that keeping some simple-to-prepare food in the house is only for preparing for storms—when the sun sets early, this can impact mental health, and make preparing meals harder to prepare and less enticing to eat. Having some easy options in the house can ensure that you have ingredients for dinner, even on lower energy days.
How can The Tub Pros help me?
At The Tub Pros, we’re proud to provide affordable and quick shower, tile, sink, and counter repairs. We also provide affordable bathtub reglazing for Memphis residents – and throughout the Greater Memphis area – people trust our estimates, workmanship, and money back guarantees with their home updates. Making your kitchen and bathroom into spaces that you want to come home to and function well for you and your family, can go a long way towards making the colder months easier and more enjoyable. A chipped, cracked, discolored, or damaged surface can drag down your spirits and make it impossible to enjoy a space. A lack of accessibility features can be depressing, forcing people to go without bathroom comforts .
When you’re looking for porcelain sink crack repair, repair for cracks around bathtub drain areas, or tub refinishing near me in the midsouth area, turn to The Tub Pros for fast, affordable, and quality kitchen and bath rejuvenation. We make your home beautiful and functional again. Give us a call at (901) 871-8827 for an estimate or use our online contact tool to get started on your project today. Additional free value added information can be found in our website article library.
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