Take Care of Your Home Before Heading South
In the natural world, changing weather is often a strong force for species’ migration. In Myrtle Beach, we know them as “snowbirds.” Our seasonal residents flock to second homes or long term rentals to escape harsher winters further north.
There’s a reason you see so many Pittsburgh Steelers bars and restaurants along the Grand Strand, and much of it has to do with long winters, snow, and freezing temperatures. The Christmas and New Year holidays are a popular departure time, so as things quiet down at the Beach, we offer a warm welcome to those just arriving.
Below you’ll find some home preparation tips if you’re leaving an empty house for an extended time.
Inspect Your Home
- Look and repair leaks and other minor issues that have the potential to cause major damage from snowfall and cold weather
- Schedule an HVAC service call to ensure your heating is in working order. A broken HVAC unit and freezing temps could lead to frozen pipes or worse.
- Ensure that the main water valve to your home is working. You’ll want to turn off the water before you leave to prevent burst pipes.
Keep Rodents and Pests Out
- Seal cracks in windows and around doors with caulk or weather stripping to keep pests out.
- Place screens around outdoor fan and dryer vents to keep birds from nesting in the ductwork. Remember, animals are looking for a warm place to winter, too.
- Make sure your chimney is sealed and the flue is shut before you leave.
Keep Your Home Safe
- Consider motion sensor lights and security cameras. New technologies are affordable, easy to self-install, and send notifications and video directly to your phone.
- Test all smoke detectors and replace batteries if needed.
- Check the locks on all your doors and windows.
Peace of Mind with a Standby Generator
A standby generator offers peace of mind that even when you are gone, your home will have power. Keep HVAC on, security devices online, and lights working. At the first detection of an outage, a standby generator will automatically activate a transfer switch to generated power. When utilities are back up, the generator will automatically switch back.
Keep your home temp above freezing, even in a power outage, and enjoy your winter retreat knowing your home is safe.
To learn more about backup power solutions for your home or business, contact Cooper Electrical Services, an authorized Cummins partner in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
