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When the extreme cold hits, your pipes should be one of your first concerns. Pipes that freeze are at risk of bursting, which can result in major damage to your home. Your number one goal should be to prevent the pipes from freezing in the first place. This includes pipes inside and outside of the home.

Before the cold weather hits, take the time to insulate any exposed pipes. This can be done using foam pipe insulation or with heat tape. All hoses should be drained and disconnected, and if possible, water should be turned off for any outside faucets. If you have a sprinkler system, make sure it is turned off and fully drained. This can be done by blowing compressed air through the lines.

You also want to take preventative measures to make sure the pipes don't freeze inside as well. This can be as simple as opening cabinet doors under sinks on extra cold nights to allow the warm air from your home to keep them from freezing. Also, keeping the faucet turned on to a drip will prevent freezing. Always be sure to take extra precautions with pipes that are located along uninsulated exterior walls, as these pipes are at a much higher risk of freezing.

If your pipes do freeze but have not burst, take action right away. Open the faucet to allow water to move out of the pipe. Then, with a space heater, hairdryer, etc., warm the pipes to thaw them. 

5. Damage to steps & driveways

Whenever snow and ice are in the forecast, homeowners are quick to take measures to keep their driveways, sidewalks, and steps clear. This can mean putting down an ice repellent beforehand, using a de-icing agent after the storm is over, and some good old-fashioned manual labor-shoveling. The problem is that many of the chemicals used in these repellents and de-icing agents can cause damage to driveways and steps. This coupled with the impact of your shovel can result in cracks, chips, and loose bricks come springtime. You can prevent this damage by using de-icing agents that are free of any harsh chemicals such as Safe Paw Ice Melter, Snow Joe Melt-2-Go, or Morton Safe-T-Pet (all of which are also safe for pets) and by using a rubber bladed shovel. Or, you can simply avoid the hassle altogether and hire a snow removal professional to take care of it for you.

Be Proactive

Your home goes through a lot when it comes to extreme cold weather. Dealing with the damage in the aftermath can be a complete headache and may end up costing you significantly. This damage can be minimized by taking proactive measures. The best time to start planning how to protect your home from the harsh cold is in late fall, before winter has gotten a chance to settle in; but, if suddenly you find yourself in a polar vortex, you should still aim to take as many preventative measures as possible to keep your home in tip-top shape.