The frigid temperatures and winter conditions are quickly approaching here in the DFW area, and as tempting as it is to cozy up inside your Trophy Signature home to fight off the upcoming winter blues—it’s important to make sure your home is just as prepared for the cold weather as you are. At Trophy Signature Homes, our high-efficiency, ENERGY STAR-rated homes are built with the highest quality craftsmanship with the environment top of mind, but it’s never a bad idea to take a few preventative measures in your home to make sure it’s extra prepped and ready for the brisk weather. 

Read on to find our top tips to prepare your home for freezing temperatures this winter.

Perform a routine maintenance check

Performing routine maintenance checks throughout every season of the year is the best way to ensure that your Trophy home is functioning at its best. Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they’re working properly—especially with the dry air that blows through in the wintertime. If you haven’t turned on the heat yet, you’ll want to make sure your furnace is good to go before the first winter storm, so be sure to switch over your smart thermostat and let the heat run for a few hours to ensure everything is functioning correctly. Additionally, according to the U.S. EnergyStar program, reversing your ceiling fan blades to make them run in a clockwise direction is a great way to prepare for the winter season—as this will force warm air that rises near the ceiling down to the living area, helping reduce energy consumption in your home. 

Prepare your yard

Winter weather can put a lot of stress on trees and plants, which is why it’s important to walk around your yard before the brutal temperatures come and look for potential trouble spots—such as rotted branches or trees that are leaning to one side. Consider having an arborist come out to trim back large trees near your home or power lines, or to remove a tree or large branches that may be dead by the time winter is over. Additionally, remembering to winterize your zoned irrigation system before temperatures drastically drop is an easy way to save yourself from the inconvenience caused by burst pipes—so make sure you’ve turned everything off and fully drained the system. You’ll also want to locate your main water shut-off valve in case of emergency, and it’s a good idea to clean out your gutters if you’re capable—but don’t hesitate to ask a family member, friend or neighbor if you need help. A clogged gutter can overflow and break, putting strain on the roof itself. It can also fill with ice, which will cause thawing damage and strain the guttering—so it’s best to take action before the winter weather blows in.

Pay close attention to your pipes

When temperatures stay below freezing, it’s crucial to pay close attention to your pipes. Give your pipes a helping hand by opening your cabinet doors to help the warmer room temperatures in, and it might help to keep your faucets dripping to keep water moving throughout the pipes. Our air-tight insulated windows and spray foam insulation work hard to keep drafts of cold air out and control the indoor temperature—but sometimes, the outside elements are too strong to prevent water lines from freezing.

If your water lines ever freeze, turn off the main water valve immediately, cover the entire valve head with heavy blankets or towels and open all water spigots throughout your home. Place a small heater or point a hair dryer at the frozen water in the pipe—never leaving it unattended and making sure the heat is not applied in one spot for longer than 15 minutes. Check to see if water is dripping from the spigots throughout your home, and if so—this means that the ice in the line is melting. Allow water to drip through the spigots until the ice has completely melted, and slowly turn the water back on to check for any cracks or leaks that may have been caused by the freezing. 

Trust Trophy Signature Homes

At Trophy Signature Homes, we’re here to help you maximize efficiency, comfort and quality in your home throughout all seasons of the year—and the checklist above will help take care of your Trophy Signature home in the same way it takes care of you. After you’ve performed these winter maintenance tips on your home, it’s time to relax and enjoy the reassurance and peace of mind that comes with owning a Trophy Signature home—which is something that truly can’t be compared, especially during the harsh winter season.

To learn more about our high-efficiency, modern homes throughout the DFW Metroplex, give us a call at (214) 550-5733 or fill out our online form today.