My last post was on the joys of fall colors in the Sierra. Well, with that joy we are beginning to see below freezing morning temperatures. Sure it makes us all begin to dream about the snow to come, but it also should be waking us up to the fact that there are some things you need to do prevent damage to your mountain home, or just to make life more enjoyable during the cold months.
Ten things to do:
1) Have your furnace checked and make sure it is running smoothly, and be sure to change the filter if needed. Then turn it on and make sure the thermostat is set to at least 50 degrees to keep the pipes from freezing.
2) It is also recommended that if you are not using your home, shut the water off. If you do not have an easy to use stop and drain valve you should have one installed. Be sure the valve is located inside the house in a location that is easy to access.
3) Look in your backyard and notice all the things that will be buried in the snow once it arrives. Will you need any of those things in the next six months? Could they be damaged if six feet of snow sat on them?
4) Disconnect all of the hoses from the outside of the house. If left on during the winter they may cause the pipes to freeze.
5) Woodstove or Fireplace: When was your chimney swept? Make sure the firewood you need is in a dry place that will be accessible in the snow.
6) How’s the roof? Any leaks you saw last year that you forgot to fix this summer?
7) Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide detectors-Now might be a good time to check them and install new batteries.
8) Have an emergency kit ready in case the power goes off and/or you are snowed in: Candles, flashlights, matches. Water bottles. Non-perishable food. And for sanity purposes: Books, games, a radio that will operate without power.
9) Close up curtains and drapes to keep the warmth in, and the bears from noticing you have a freezer that they should come in and inspect for tasty morsels.
10) Snow removal: Is your snowblower maintained and do you have a can of gas ready to go? Shovels?
Need a plumber or heating contractor? Here are a few I have used:
Plumbers
Mitch Milner 530-448-1308
John Greenside 530-587-1354
Heating people
Joe Hennessey 530-386-2867
Heat Tech, Steve Davis 530-587-7061
YOUR FRIEND IN HIGH PLACES 
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