The first deep freeze of the season, when temperatures drop well below zero for an extended stretch, tends to expose anything around the house that was not quite ready for winter. A bit of prep beforehand goes a long way toward avoiding cold-weather headaches.
Start outside with your hose bibs and outdoor faucets. Disconnect and drain garden hoses, and shut off any exterior water valves if your home has them, since water left in outdoor lines can freeze and cause pipes to crack. Cover exposed outdoor faucets with an insulated cover for extra protection during the coldest stretches.
Check your furnace filter and have your heating system inspected if it has not been serviced recently. A furnace working overtime during a deep freeze is not the time to discover a maintenance issue. It is also worth testing your thermostat and making sure any smart heating settings are dialed in for the temperature drop.
Around the property, make sure gutters are clear of leaves and debris so meltwater has somewhere to go once temperatures eventually rise again, which helps prevent ice dams. Check weatherstripping around doors and windows for drafts, since a poorly sealed home works much harder to stay warm during extended cold snaps.
Protect Indoor Pipes Too
Pipes along outside walls, in garages or in unheated crawl spaces are the ones most likely to freeze. Foam pipe insulation is cheap and easy to fit. On the coldest nights, open the cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls so warm air can reach the pipes, and keep the heat steady rather than turning it way down overnight or while you are away.
Get the Driveway and Steps Ready
Deep cold makes any leftover ice much harder to remove, so clear snow promptly before a cold snap arrives. Mark driveway edges with stakes so they are easy to find once snow piles up, and keep a bag of ice melt near the door. Standard rock salt works less well in very cold weather, so stick to clearing first and use melt for touch-ups on steps and walkways. If you have pets, a pet-safe de-icer is a good choice.
Prepare for a Power Outage
Long cold snaps put more strain on the power grid. Keep flashlights, spare batteries, warm blankets and a charged phone bank where you can find them in the dark. If you have a generator, test it before the freeze and never run it inside the house or garage.
Line Up Your Snow Removal
The first deep freeze often comes with the first real snow. A Thames Valley Snow seasonal plan is $650, with service starting automatically once 5 cm falls. Per-visit service is $70, and add-ons like a walkway plus six steps ($175) or salting ($175) can be added as needed.
Check the Roof and Attic
Poor attic insulation lets heat escape to the roof, which melts snow that then refreezes at the eaves and forms ice dams. Before the freeze, check that attic insulation is even and that vents are not blocked. Clear gutters and downspouts so meltwater can drain away from the house.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does London usually get its first deep freeze?
Extended stretches well below zero usually arrive from December onward, but an early cold snap can come sooner, so it is worth preparing in November.
Should I shut off my outdoor taps?
Yes. Disconnect hoses, shut off the inside valve if you have one and drain the line so water cannot freeze and crack the pipe.
Want a set price for your property? Request a free quote or call or text (548) 888-8702. Quotes come back within 2 business days. You can also read about residential snow removal and our prices.
What's included… and what's extra
A Thames Valley Snow seasonal residential plan starts from $650 for a standard driveway. It covers clearing the driveway every time snowfall reaches the trigger depth in your agreement, plus the windrow the city plow leaves at the end of the driveway. Larger driveways are priced on our snow removal prices page.
Popular add-ons, priced per season: walkway and steps $150–175, salting $175, priority service $125, pet-safe salt $120, driveway extension $95 and city sidewalk clearing $90. Add only what your property needs; everything is listed on the quote so there are no surprises. Get your fixed price or call or text (548) 888-8702.
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