Every year. Every single year.
Somewhere in Central Ohio, a tenant turns their heat down too low while they’re out of town for Thanksgiving, and comes home to a flooded house. It happens every year without fail.
Please don’t be that person.
The basics worth repeating
Keep your heat at 55 degrees minimum. Even when you’re away. Yes, it costs money. You know what costs more? Water damage.
Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls when it’s really cold. Let the warm air circulate.
Know where your water shutoff is. If something does go wrong, shutting off the water quickly is the difference between a small problem and a major one.
For landlords
Send your tenants a reminder. I know they should know this already. They don’t always. A quick email costs nothing and could save you thousands.
Check your properties for exposed pipes in basements, crawl spaces, and garages. Insulate anything that looks vulnerable. A $10 pipe wrap could prevent a $10,000 repair.
Why I’m bringing this up now
Because it’s November and it’s about to get cold. And because I spent too many hours last winter dealing with frozen pipe situations that were completely preventable.
Stay warm out there.