🏠 Preparing Your Home for Winter
You don't need to do anything complicated to prepare your home for winter. A few simple checks can make a big difference!
🔥 1. Test Your Heating System Before You Need It
The last thing anyone wants is to discover their heat isn't working on the coldest night of the year! If you haven't already, turn on your heating system before temperatures drop significantly. This gives you time to identify potential problems before HVAC technicians get busy during the first major cold snap.
When testing your heat, keep these things in mind:
- A slight burning smell can be normal: When you first turn on your heat for the season, you may notice a temporary burning or dusty smell as dust accumulated on the heating elements burns off. This should clear relatively quickly.
- Pay attention to unusual odors or sounds: If a burning smell persists, you notice smoke, or the system makes unusual noises, turn it off if safe to do so and submit a maintenance request. If you smell gas, leave the home and contact the appropriate emergency service.
- Check that warm air is coming through the vents: If your system runs but doesn't produce heat, or the temperature inside the home isn't increasing, report the issue through PropertyMeld.
- Check your air filter: Changing the air filter is your responsibility under the lease, make sure it's clean and replace it as needed. A dirty filter can restrict airflow and affect system performance.
- Keep vents clear: Make sure furniture, rugs, and other belongings aren't blocking supply vents or return-air grilles.
Don't wait until the first freezing night to find out your heating system needs attention!
🚿 2. Protect Your Outdoor Faucets
Outdoor faucets and the pipes connected to them can be vulnerable when temperatures fall below freezing. Before the first hard freeze, take a few minutes to prepare your outdoor water connections:
- Disconnect garden hoses: Remove hoses from all exterior faucets and store them away for the winter.
- Shut off water supply: Shut off the water supply to exterior faucets if your home has a designated indoor shutoff valve. Follow the appropriate procedure for your home's setup, then open the exterior faucet to allow any remaining water to drain.
- Install an insulated faucet cover: These inexpensive covers can help protect outdoor spigots from freezing temperatures.
- Report leaks or damage: If you notice a leak or cannot locate the appropriate shutoff valve, submit a maintenance request rather than attempting plumbing repairs yourself.
Remember: An insulated faucet cover is helpful, but it does not replace shutting off and draining the line when your home has a designated shutoff valve.
💧 3. Know How to Protect Your Pipes During a Freeze
Although we don't experience prolonged freezing temperatures every winter, even a short hard freeze can cause problems for exposed plumbing. Here are a few ways to reduce the risk of frozen pipes:
- Keep your heat on during cold weather, even if you're leaving home for a few days. During freezing conditions, keep the thermostat set to at least 60°F.
- Open cabinet doors beneath sinks located along exterior walls to allow warm air to circulate around the plumbing.
- Keep garage doors closed when plumbing lines or other vulnerable areas are exposed to cold air.
- Be aware of plumbing in garages, crawl spaces, attics, and other unheated areas. If you suspect pipes are exposed or inadequately protected, let us know.
- Locate your home's main water shutoff so you know where to turn off the water if a pipe bursts.
Important: Don't wait until you see a leak to report concerns about exposed or vulnerable pipes. If you notice a plumbing issue before freezing weather arrives, submit a maintenance request through PropertyMeld.
🧊 4. What to Do When Freezing Temperatures Are Forecast
When a hard freeze is expected, additional precautions may be necessary. Depending on the property's plumbing setup and the severity of the forecast, you may be advised to:
- Allow a small trickle of water to run from a vulnerable faucet to help reduce the risk of freezing.
- Open cabinets beneath sinks to allow warm air to reach the pipes.
- Keep the thermostat set to at least 60°F.
- Take additional precautions for plumbing located in unheated areas or along exterior walls.
Dripping faucets is not necessary during every cold night. Save this step for periods when freezing temperatures are forecast and follow any specific instructions provided by Marchant PM. If a pipe freezes, do not use an open flame to thaw it. If a pipe bursts, turn off the water at the main shutoff if it is safe to do so, and contact Marchant PM immediately. Submit a maintenance request as well, following the appropriate emergency maintenance procedure.
🌬️ 5. Check Doors, Windows, and Drafts
Keeping warm air inside helps make your home more comfortable during colder weather. Take a few minutes to check for obvious drafts around exterior doors and windows.
- Make sure windows are fully closed and locked.
- Check that exterior doors close securely.
- Use existing blinds or curtains to help reduce drafts at night.
- Report damaged weatherstripping, broken window seals, or noticeable drafts that may indicate a maintenance issue.
Please don't make permanent alterations to doors or windows without approval. If something appears damaged or isn't sealing properly, let us know so we can determine the appropriate next steps.
🔋 6. Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
As the weather gets colder, heating systems and portable heaters may get more use. That makes home safety especially important.
- Test your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, where installed, according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Never remove, disable, or tamper with a detector.
- Report missing, damaged, or malfunctioning detectors through PropertyMeld.
- Never use an oven, stovetop, grill, or outdoor heating equipment to heat your home.
- If you use a portable space heater, keep it at least three feet away from bedding, curtains, furniture, and other combustible materials. Place it on a stable, level surface, plug it directly into a wall outlet, and never leave it operating unattended or while sleeping.
🔥 7. Fireplace Safety Reminder
As temperatures drop, you may be tempted to use your home's fireplace for extra warmth. However, please review the following requirements outlined in your lease:
- Wood-burning fireplaces: May not be used for any purpose. This prohibition applies even if the fireplace appears to be in working condition.
- Gas fireplaces and gas logs: May not be used without prior submission of a safe and satisfactory inspection completed by a professional at the tenant's expense. Marchant PM does not service, maintain, or guarantee the functionality of gas-burning fireplaces.
- Never assume a fireplace is safe to use simply because it is present in the home or appears to be operational.
Please refer to your lease for the complete fireplace requirements. If you have questions about your property's fireplace, contact our office before attempting to use it. For additional warmth, use your home's heating system as intended and follow all applicable space-heater safety precautions.
🌿 8. Don't Forget Outdoor Items and Plants
Winter preparation isn't just about the inside of your home! Before freezing weather arrives:
- Bring in or protect potted plants that are sensitive to cold temperatures.
- Store garden hoses and other outdoor equipment.
- Secure lightweight outdoor furniture and decorations that could be blown around by winter winds.
- Report visibly damaged exterior fixtures or other property concerns.
If you have tropical or other cold-sensitive plants, remember that the Upstate can experience temperatures low enough to damage them, even when daytime temperatures are mild.
🌡️ A Quick Reminder About South Carolina Winters
If you're new to the Upstate, winter weather here can be a little unpredictable! We can have mild afternoons followed by freezing temperatures overnight. Snow and ice aren't an everyday occurrence, but even a small amount can create hazardous road conditions and make it difficult for maintenance vendors to travel safely.
- Don't assume a mild afternoon means the overnight temperature will stay above freezing.
- Pay attention to local weather forecasts when a cold front is approaching.
- Keep your heating system running during freezing weather, including when you're away from home.
- Prepare early when a winter storm is forecast. Waiting until the last minute can make it harder to find supplies or obtain a timely maintenance appointment.
Our team will do everything we can to coordinate necessary repairs during winter weather, but severe conditions may delay vendor availability and travel.
✅ Your November Winter-Prep Checklist
A little preparation goes a long way! Use this quick checklist to make sure you're ready for the colder months:
- ☐ Test your heating system before the first major cold snap.
- ☐ Replace your HVAC filter if required under your lease.
- ☐ Disconnect garden hoses and prepare outdoor faucets.
- ☐ Install insulated covers on exterior spigots.
- ☐ Locate your main water shutoff.
- ☐ Check doors and windows for noticeable drafts or damage.
- ☐ Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, where installed.
- ☐ Know where to find local weather alerts and freezing-weather forecasts.
- ☐ Report maintenance concerns before they become bigger problems.
