Winter-Ready Homes and Communities: Tips from The Westbury Senior Living’s Plant Operations Director

As the Plant Operations Director at The Westbury Senior Living. I know the importance of preparing the community and my home for the cold winter weather. To prepare your house for winter weather, start by inspecting and sealing any gaps or cracks in doors, windows, and walls to prevent drafts and conserve heat. Be sure to clean your gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage. Thus preventing ice dams that can damage your roof and walls when snow and ice accumulate. 

Check your heating system, replace air filters, or schedule a professional inspection to ensure it’s functioning efficiently and safely for the colder months. Insulate your home properly by adding weatherstripping to doors and windows, and consider adding insulation to your attic and walls to retain heat and lower energy bills. Don’t forget also to prepare your outdoor spaces – drain and store garden hoses, cover outdoor furniture, and trim tree branches that could damage your home during winter storms. 

My activities to prepare for colder weather in the community include draining and covering the fountains, raking up and disposing of the debris from the courtyard, and sweeping and hosing off roof debris. I’m running plumbing from the rooftop units directly to the drain so sludge doesn’t build up on the roof. It’s essential to ensure all low points are drained so they aren’t an issue when it’s cold.

The benefits of cleaning the roof and running drains are that it prevents an ice buildup hazard and keeps yuck from going down the overflow and onto the sidewalk below.

A little time and money spent preparing for cold weather will pay off great dividends through energy savings. There is no way to stop “Old Man Winter” from arriving at your door, but with some preparation, he’ll stay outside where he belongs!