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Ah, winter. There’s no better time to curl up with a good book, drink hot chocolate, sit by the fire, and maybe even plan some home improvements.

Unfortunately, nothing ruins those idyllic goals like frozen and bursting plumbing.

While we’re not prone to deep freezes here in El Paso, preparing your home for winter is no less important than it is up north.

If you’re not sure how to protect your pipes from freezing, you’re certainly not alone! We’ve put together a helpful guide to get area homeowners started on their winter preparation, well before the first cold snaps set in. Here’s what you need to know.

1.- Insulate Your Pipes

Based on our scorching summers, you’d think our winters might be mild. But cold temperatures can take you by surprise, and insulating your pipes is important for winter and beyond.

If you haven’t already done so, invest in some quality foam padding or heat tape for your pipes. Make sure any areas with exposed pipes are properly insulated, especially in your garage and shed. Seal up any holes or openings with caulk or expandable foam.

You may even want to add some heat cables, which automatically sense a pipe’s temperatures and turn on to warm them up when necessary. These are easy to find online and at most major home improvement stores.

2.- Turn Off Outdoor Faucets

Now that we’re past the time when most homeowners are considering spring and summer landscaping, you may want to take care of your outdoor faucets. Even if you opt not to do this now, it’s important to do it anytime we see temperatures dip toward freezing.

Open any outdoor faucets and drain the water from the pipes to keep them from freezing. Disconnect your hose and store it in your garage or in a shed. Consider buying some inexpensive insulated hose bibs to help slow heat loss as well.

3.-Check Pipes During Cold Snaps

Even if you’ve taken the steps above to prepare your home for winter, you’ll still need to check on your pipes when the cold weather comes. In general, water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but most indoor pipes will start to freeze once the outside temperature dips toward 20 degrees.

Let water drip from your taps when freezing temperatures set in, as this can help you avoid having to deal with freezing pipes. Know the signs of frozen pipes, and have a plumber’s contact info at the ready just in case. If you have just purchased your Tropicana Home then give our award-winning warranty office a call or access our Homeowners Portal to find the emergency contacts for plumbers in your area.

Start Preparing Your Home for Winter

There’s no time like the present when it comes to preparing your home for winter. Following some basic best practices before the cold weather sets in can keep you from seeking out expensive repairs on one of the coldest nights of the year. Make sure you and your family are protected this winter!

Not only do we offer you the best tips to prepare for the harsh winter weather, our dedicated and award-winning agents are here to assist you. Call any of our agents today to receive more information on our homes and availability. Close out the year with a beautiful Tropicana Home!