The Holidays are in full swing and so is winter; this past weekend’s freeze is likely not the last for Montgomery County this season.

With the winter weather blowing into town homeowners have questions and concerns about how to protect their home. Here are a few things that you can do in a little time now that will save you big in the long run.

• Wrap or cover exposed pipes, faucets and water connections – including sprinkler systems
• Be sure to turn off your sprinkler system during a hard freeze
• If temperatures drop below freezing for an extended time you will also want to wrap or cover pipes in your attic
• For appliances in unheated garages experts recommend that you not use them for 10 hours after temperatures have risen above freezing

As Chuck Ebert of Chuck’s Home Repairs shared, “Exposed water pipes and connections are the biggest concern. When water freezes in a pipe, it can burst and cause a lot of damage.”

The other biggest concern usually has to do with outside plants and shrubs. While a brief freeze like the one expected the first weekend in December is good for some plants, signaling them to go dormant for the coming winter, it is not a good thing for some plants that Texas’ warm weather can support. For the warm weather plants you can take the following precautions:

• Pick fruit from citrus trees before the freeze
• Make sure your plants are well watered before the cold weather blows in
• Exotic and tropical plants, which are more susceptible to freezing, should be protected by covering or brought indoors

For tips and ideas on what to use to cover your plants please visit: http://www.finegardening.com/how-to/articles/shelter-plants-from-winters-worst.aspx

Remember, a little work now can save you big in the long run.

Source: www.hcnonline.com/conroe_courier