WINTER WEATHER CAN CAUSE A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE. THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT THESE THINGS FROM HAPPENING. ONE OF THEM HAS TO DO WITH THE OUTDOOR SPIGOT. A LOT OF YOU MAY HAVE A FROST OR FREEZE PROOF FAUCET LIKE THIS AND THAT'S GOOD. THE PROBLEM IS: IT CAN STILL FREEZE AND SPLIT OPEN. LET ME TELL YOU WHY. THESE ARE DESIGNED TO SHUT THE WATER OFF EIGHT TO 12 INCHES INSIDE THE HOUSE SO THAT THE PIPE DOESN'T FREEZE. BUT IF YOU DON'T TAKE THE HOSE OFF AND LET THE WATER DRAIN OUT OF THAT EXTRA AREA BEFORE THE HANDLE COMES IN, THAT CAN FREEZE AND SPLIT. NOW THE REAL PROBLEM IS THAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO KNOW THAT THERE'S A SPLIT IN HERE UNTIL YOU GO TO USE THIS COME SPRING. WHEN YOU TURN IT ON, THERE'S WATER SHOOTING ALL OVER THE INSIDE OF THE WALLS. IN ORDER TO FIX IT, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CUT A HOLE OUT OF THE WALL ON THE INSIDE AND REPLACE THIS VALVE. YOU WANT TO STOP THIS? TAKE THE GARDEN HOSE OFF. IT WILL LET THE WATER DRAIN OUT. THERE'S NOTHING IN THERE TO FREEZE. AND LEAVE IT OFF ALL WINTER!

NOW A LOT OF HOMEOWNERS FEEL THEY NEED TO PROTECT THEIR OUTSIDE CONDENSER UNIT FROM THE WINTER TIME. AND, IT'S A GOOD IDEA - EXCEPT DON'T PUT A COVER ON IT THAT COVERS ALL THE SIDES! MOISTURE BUILDS UP IN THERE AND IT CAN CAUSE SOME DAMAGE. IF YOU WANT TO PROTECT THIS, PUT SOME PLYWOOD OVER THE TOP AND JUST STRAP IT DOWN WITH SOME BUNGEE CORDS. THAT WILL KEEP THE SNOW FROM GETTING DOWN IN THERE BUT IT WILL LET THE SIDES BREATHE.

DON SAYS IF YOU DON'T HAVE A FROST OR FREEZE PROOF FAUCET, THEY CAN BE EASILY PICKED UP AT A HARDWARE STORE OR HOME IMPROVEMENT CENTER AND INSTALLED IN YOUR HOME.

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