Homes and cars are at risk with the below zero temperatures
Throughout the week, people in the Northland have experienced bitter cold temperatures. But what steps can residents take to protect their homes and cars in below zero temps? Folks in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin need to be proactive with preparing their homes and cars for negative temperatures. Towing companies have already been busy around the clock moving vehicles that won’t start. Car batteries can’t hold a charge and things are just going to get colder.
Maurice Bourdag, the owner of NASCAR Towing, says typically a car battery lasts around five year. Drivers should regularly get it tested at a local mechanic so their vehicle doesn’t need to be towed.
“Have them test the battery charging system, if you have the capability to plug them in, that kind of helps, too. The alternator, bad spark plugs could be a factor to, getting the car tuned up properly. Those are the main things,” Bourdag said. “Basically, you know, the spark plugs, battery and the charging system. As long as they’re all working properly, cars should start just fine. We’ve been having all three trucks going pretty much non-stop these past several days.
It’s not just cars that are at risk from the subzero temperatures. Homeowners also need to take precautions to maintain their heat and water this weekend. Charlie Deville, is a HVAC Field Supervisor, with NorthStar Services. He says homeowners should clear any ice forming in their PVC pipes outside of their home, and their indoor sinks should run a trickle to prevent pipes from freezing.
“Insulate pipes if possible. If you have pipes running along outside walls that’s where they’re going to get coldest first,” Deville said. “So you can insulate those or wrap them with there’s all sorts of insulations and things that you can get.”
According to data from the City of Duluth, around half of all the homes within the area were built before 1940. Deville says most homes would then likely have radiators that need to be bled once a month to properly maintain the furnace.
“Just understand that when it is below a certain temperature, when we get below zero your furnace, boiler etc., it’s going to run a lot,” Deville said. “So this would be where if there’s any lagging issues it’s had over time, this is going to be when they’re exposed.”
Here’s a list of the tips NorthStar says homeowners should to prepare for cold weather.
1) Check the batteries in thermostat and Carbon Monoxide detector
2) Reprogram the thermostat
3) Make sure your fuel source is full (propane/oil)
4) Run your system and listen to it run a few cycles
5) Check/replace filter
6) Check the PVC venting – look for blockage
7) Check your ducts/vents – make sure not blocked
8) Insulate pipes on outside walls
9) Open cabinets with plumbing inside them
10) Let faucets run a trickle
11) Have a space heater backup
12) Run humidifier/boil a pot of water
13) Shut fireplace flue
Another good reminder is to have a survival kit in your car if it doesn’t start. Some essential items are warm clothes, a blanket, a fully charged phone or even an emergency radio are all helpful.