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The First Freeze? Already? Really?!

Whether you like it or not, the seasons are shifting in Northern Colorado.  According to the National Weather Service, we will see our first frost of the season on Friday morning, September 12.  For some of the outlying areas of Northern Colorado, we may see a possible freeze as well.  As we near the first freeze of the year, I wanted to share some reminders about your home and colder weather.

First, since our first freeze may come a bit earlier than average, it is important to cover the exposed pipes of your irrigation system.  The decommissioning of irrigation systems usually doesn’t happen until late September or early October.  As a result, many of you still have systems that contain water and are operational.  Wrapping those exposed irrigation pipes will prevent any freezing, which can lead to pipes bursting.  So, be mindful of your property and where exposed pipes need to be wrapped.

Next, always disconnect outdoor hoses.  This is common practice in areas where freezing happens however many of us forget to do this as the first freeze approaches.  Failing to remove the hose from an outdoor faucet can cause serious damage to property.  The freezing of the pipe can move into the interior portion of the pipe.  As a result, when a burst does happen, it typically affects the inner parts of the home – walls, basements, etc.  Taking a few minutes to ensure hoses are disconnected is an important step this time of the year.

Also, since many of our plants are still outdoors and have some growth time left in the season, be sure to bring your outdoor plants inside.  If your outdoor plants are not mobile, be sure to cover them with a breathable material.  A blanket is a great material to use when covering plants.  Never cover a plant with plastic because the plastic will damage the plant.  If using plastic, be sure there is a cloth barrier between the plant and the plastic. Be sure to remove the blanket as the morning temperature warms or you risk plant damage due to condensation.

Lastly, here are a few less-known things to do when colder weather begins to take shape.  Make sure your gutters are free of debris.  If your gutters are not free of debris, this can lead to ice jams since the water does not have proper avenues to flow.  Never set your thermostat below 55 degrees.  This prevents the interior pipes close to external walls from freezing.  And, something people forget to do, reverse the direction of your ceiling fans.  Ceiling fans can be used to your benefit year round.

I hope the tips above were helpful as we approach the Fall and Winter seasons.  If you have any questions or would like information about our property management services, we would love to hear from you.  Real Property Management of the Rockies serves the greater Northern Colorado area including Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor, Greeley, Johnstown, Wellington, and Timnath.  We look forward to hearing from you.

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