COLD SNAP SEASON HAS ARRIVED!

The first cold snap of the season is here, and Team Marti – John L. Scott wants to remind you (that in addition to your people,) to protect your pets, plants, and pipes from low temperatures.

Our weather needs to take a page out of the red-hot housing market and warm up – Spring isn’t far away. It is a great time to list your home for sale. Please contact Team Marti for free tips on preparing to sell your home.

Temperatures are expected to be below freezing with snow forecast in the coming days for the Kent/Covington/Maple Valley area.

  • People – should dress warmly, in layers, to avoid hypothermia
  • Pets– should be brought indoors or provided with a warm place to sleep
  • Pipes– that run outside or under a house should be wrapped in pipe insulation to avoid cracks due to water freezing in them
  • Plants– may need to be covered or brought inside to avoid snow or frost damage

Protect your pets

Pet owners should prepare to protect their animals from cold temperatures. It’s important to remember pets like cats and dogs, even if they are acclimated to the outdoors, need access to shelter to protect them from cool temperatures and winds, and an unfrozen water source. Outdoor pets may also need additional caloric intake to help them maintain their body heat. Shelters should be insulated, include clean, dry blankets or straw for bedding, and protect from north winds.

Protect your plants

Frosts and freeze can damage or kill exposed plants, especially container plants. Plants in containers are more susceptible to freezing temperatures because they lack the insulation the earth naturally provides. Move container plants inside the home or garage, or to any area where temperatures will stay above freezing. If they can’t be moved indoors, put them on the south side of the house, water them well and pile on mulch, leaves and hay to protect the roots and/or cover them with a frost blanket.

Protecting pipes

When it comes to freeze damage to homes, protecting exposed pipes is critical when temperatures dip below freezing. Water pipes can freeze and burst when the outside temperature reaches 20 degrees or below. Pipes exposed to severe cold, including outdoor faucets, water sprinklers, water pipes in basements, crawl spaces, attics or garages, or pipes that run along exterior walls and swimming pool supply lines are at most risk. Outdoor water systems should be drained and covered or allowed to drip slowly to help protect from damage. Products made to insulate water pipes like a sleeve or heat tape should be applied to exposed water pipes. Many products are available at your local building supplies retailer.

 

Marti Reeder, Realtor, Managing Broker