Excellent advice from The McMahon Agency- a local insurance company:
The weather forecast next week calls for plummeting temperatures with winds blowing 15-20 miles an hour. This is a recipe for broken pipes! It’s crucial to prepare your property—whether it’s your primary home, secondary residence, or commercial building.
If you have a secondary home, your house is probably already winterized, but if not, you need to get to your home or have a friend who can stop by, to prepare the building. Don’t forget any outdoor water lines, like outdoor showers, to make sure they are off.
Frozen pipe claims are not fun; neither is coming to the shore in the middle of the winter to have to repair your house due to costly water damage. Here are a few simple steps can help you avoid unnecessary stress and expenses.
How to prevent frozen pipes:
- Maintain indoor temperatures at 65°F or higher, even if the property is unoccupied.
- Turn off water in secondary homes and don’t forget to turn off your hot water heater as well.
- Keep garage doors closed, especially if you have water supply lines in the garage.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate around pipes.
- Seal air leaks near pipes and insulate pipes in attics, crawl spaces and pipes close to outside walls.
- Disconnect outdoor hoses and shut off exterior water supply lines.
What to do if a pipe bursts:
- Turn off the main water supply immediately. It’s a good idea to locate this valve ahead of time.
- Move valuables and electronics away from the affected area to prevent further damage.
- Contact a plumber to assess and repair the damage.
In the blink of an eye…
On this day 22 years ago, I joined the Tim Kerr Sotheby’s International Realty team.
We were Tim Kerr’s Power Play Realty at the time- a small boutique agency with an office in Avalon.
In recent years, we have expanded to 4 offices from Cape May to Sea Isle City, yet remain independently owned and operated by the Kerr family.
Our franchise affiliation with Sotheby’s allows us to compete on a higher level with professional marketing and exposure. Our staff of experienced local experts provides a superior level of service. The best of both worlds!
I am so fortunate to work in my home town, along side great co-workers and friends.
“A Lifetime of Experience”