10 Last-Minute Ways to Protect Your Home During Extreme Cold

We’ve spent the last couple of weeks talking about frozen pipes and ice dams, and unfortunately, this weekend is shaping up to be the coldest stretch of the year. When temperatures drop this low, small oversights can turn into expensive problems fast.

The good news? You don’t need to panic or run out and spend a fortune to help your home ride out extreme cold. A few simple, last-minute steps can make a real difference now and help prevent bigger repair bills down the road.

Here are 10 practical things you can do before (and during) a deep freeze.

1. Let faucets drip just a little

A slow, steady drip keeps water moving through pipes, making them far less likely to freeze. Focus on faucets connected to exterior walls, especially in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry areas.

2. Open cabinet doors under sinks

This allows warm air from your home to circulate around plumbing. It’s simple, free, and surprisingly effective, especially overnight when temperatures hit their lowest point.

3. Turn the thermostat up a few degrees

This isn’t the weekend to save on heating costs. A slightly warmer house helps protect pipes in walls, basements, and crawlspaces. Consistent heat is better than dramatic temperature swings.

4. Check that vents and returns aren’t blocked

Furniture, rugs, or curtains blocking vents can reduce heat circulation, creating cold pockets near exterior walls. Make sure warm air can move freely throughout your home.

5. Seal obvious drafts (temporarily is fine)

If you feel cold air coming in around doors or windows, stop it now. Towels, draft snakes, or temporary weatherstripping can help seal gaps quickly and cheaply until permanent fixes can be made later.

6. Make sure attic hatches are closed and sealed

An open or poorly sealed attic hatch allows warm air to escape, cooling your home and contributing to ice dam formation. Even a quick check can help keep heat where it belongs.

7. Clear snow away from foundations and vents

Snow piled against your house can refreeze and cause ice buildup near foundations. Also check dryer vents, furnace exhausts, and intake pipes to make sure they’re clear and functioning properly.

8. Avoid shutting off heat in unused rooms

Closing doors and turning off heat may seem logical, but it can actually increase the risk of frozen pipes in those areas. Keep temperatures consistent throughout the house.

9. Know where your main water shutoff is

This doesn’t cost a dime but it’s critical. If a pipe does burst, shutting off the water quickly can dramatically reduce damage. If you’re not sure where it is, take five minutes to find it now.

10. Don’t ignore warning signs

Unusual drafts, dripping sounds, frost on pipes, or doors suddenly sticking can all be early indicators of cold-weather stress on your home. Addressing small issues now can prevent major repairs later.

A quick reminder

Extreme cold tests even well-maintained homes. These steps aren’t about perfection, they’re about reducing risk and giving your house the best chance to get through a tough weekend unscathed.

If you’ve already dealt with ice dams, frozen pipes, or winter damage in the past, it may be worth having a professional take a look once temperatures rise. Preventative maintenance is almost always cheaper than emergency repairs.

Stay warm, stay safe, and let’s all get through this cold snap without any surprise phone calls to our insurance companies.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros., Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. For remodeling needs, contact O’Donnell Bros., Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Submit questions to Bob at info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. Advice is for guidance only.

In the Market for a New Roof? Know Your Options

With April showers often come leaks, which means roof replacement is on lots of homeowner’s minds this time of year. When thinking about a new roof, finding the right contractor, negotiating the best price, and deciding on the color and style are just a few of the options to navigate. But in the past, one thing homeowners often didn’t have to think about was the material, as asphalt roofs have been the most popular choice in our area for their cost-effectiveness and durability. But recently, metal has begun increasing in popularity. While metal roofs are more common in areas of the country with more extreme weather conditions, it’s always good to know about the different options available. So let’s take a deeper dive into the pros and cons of asphalt and metal roofs to help you make the best decision for your home.

The Asphalt Roof

Asphalt is the most popular choice with homeowners for a variety of reasons, but the single most important factor is almost always the price. The average cost to purchase the materials for an asphalt roof is nearly one-third of the cost of a metal roof. That cost differentiation gives asphalt the leg up almost every time. In addition to being the more cost-effective option of the two choices, there is a lot to love about asphalt. Individual shingles give a homeowner lots of color and design choices, and they are faster to install than a metal roof, often taking just a few days of labor. While most asphalt roofs come with a 30-year warranty, they are easy to repair if damaged, and a small section can be replaced without having to get a whole new roof. The material also performs exceptionally well in the rain, heat, sleet, and snow.

Of course, there are a few negative aspects of asphalt roofing that homeowners should be aware of. If you’re installing a new asphalt roof, I always recommend removing the old roof before installing new material, which does add to the labor cost. Another negative factor is the chance that mold, mildew, and algae will grow if a roof is shaded and stays damp for long periods of time. Also, while our Connecticut weather isn’t as severe as other parts of the country, very high winds can loosen shingles if they aren’t installed properly.

The Metal Roof

Even though they aren’t as common in our area, metal roofs have some very attractive qualities that make them worth considering. Firstly, the material is lighter than traditional asphalt roofs, and the metal sheets can often be installed right over regular asphalt as long as it doesn’t have water damage or rotten plywood underneath. Metal roofs also last longer than asphalt roofs, and maintenance is minimal. Mold and mildew cannot grow on metal so if you live in a damp area with lots of shade, this might be a worthwhile benefit. Another plus is that metal roofs are energy efficient all year round, helping to keep the house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Plus they perform very well in areas with very high-level snowfall.

Of course, there are a few cons that homeowners should be aware of, and the biggest one is cost. While metal roofs do last longer, the upfront cost can be three times as much as an asphalt roof. Additionally, if a metal roof needs to be repaired, that will also cost more as metal roofs are made in sheets and need to be replaced in that way. From an aesthetic perspective, metal roofs do come in different colors, but there aren't many more options in terms of design and aesthetic. Finally, it’s important to know that without the proper plywood installation and insulation, metal roofs can be noisy, which might not be a con for people who love the sound of rain storms.

No matter which material you use, it’s important to do your research to find the best product for your individual home. The right roof with the right contractor at the right price will ensure that you live comfortably with peace of mind for many years to come.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.