Subject: Severe weather warning
From: "Brian Pomije" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2019 12:25:57 -0600 (CST)

Please be advised temperatures will be well below freezing for several =ays. This can cause frozen pipes in areas that have not previously had an =ssue. Please review the checklist below to help avoid freezing problems. I= you have oil heat please make sure that you have sufficient oil in the ta=k.

As the weather warms=back up please walk the property and pay attention to the sounds of runnin= water that will indicate a ruptured pipe.

Winterization Checklist

Patterson-Schwartz =roperty Management

7234 Lancaster Pike, Suite 220B, Hockessin, DE 1=707

302-234-5240

As the days grow sho=ter and temperatures drop, it’s time to start preparing for winter=weather. By performing a little maintenance in preparation for season=l changes, problems that might be exacerbated by the extreme cold can be a=oided altogether.

Please turn on your heat=r! Please take a few minutes to turn on your heater and make sure it i= operating properly. This will ensure we have time to get it repaired befo=e the colder weather hits. If it does not turn we have found that it is of=en a simple item that can be remedied i=mediately by checking the following items.

1. These fancy new thermostats with digital displays or timers t=ke batteries! If the display is blank it is highly likely it needs fresh b=tteries. If it is an old-timey thermostat without timers or a display you =hould be fine. Please move to step 2!

2. Chec= at the top of the basement stairs and on the unit for a light switch with=a red cover labeled Emergency Shut Off or Oil Burner Shut Off. This is a v=ry foreboding and scary looking switch that should be in the ON position. =t is often accidentally shut off when someone is blindly searching for a b=sement light. It happens more often than you think! Not the problem? Then =lease move on to step 3!

3. Check the breaker=panel and turn the breaker completely off and back on. Sometimes power sur=es or gremlins can trip these breakers. A breaker that is tripped will not=be off but will be slightly back from the on position. If the breaker trip= again please contact your Property Manager! Still not working please try =tep 4!

4. If you have Oil or Pro=ane heat make sure you have fuel! Physically check the gauge on the tank a=d make sure to never let the tank go below 1/4.  If you ran out of oi= simply refilling it will not work. A service call will need to be placed =o prime the pump and clear out any clogs in the filter.

If you are still don't have heat please contact your Prop=rty Manager.

Please review the items on the checklist below. We unders=and some items on the list won’t apply to the home you are renting= However, we would appreciate it if you would address the tasks which are =ppropriate.          &nb=p;

As always, please notify your pr=perty manager immediately of any issues beyond routine maintenance. For=after-hours and weekend emergencies, call 302-229-4132.

&nb=p;    Best Regards,

&nb=p;            Patterson =chwartz Property Management

Outdoor Tasks

·         Close all outside hose bibs at the inside shut of= valve while leaving the outside spigot slightly open for drainage. <=p>
·  &nbs=;       Rake and dispose of leav=s, twigs, and other debris on the property.

Clear leaves and other debris from outside drains and =ownspouts. This can prevent water from backing up into basements and other=low-lying areas. Check these drains often and make sure that they are clea= of leaves or snow.

·          Kee= walkways and parking areas free from snow and ice (purchase only non-corr=sive ice melt for sidewalks and driveways).

Bring in or cover any yard furniture.

Indoor Tasks

·        = Maintai= the heat at not less than 55 degrees; maintain electric and/or gas servic=.

&=bsp;        IF YOU HAVE =IL HEAT, make sure you’ve signed up for auto-delivery or are r=ceiving regular oil deliveries. Do not rely on space heaters to heat = home… this will leave critical areas unheated and may result in f=ozen pipes or other problems.

·         &nbs=;If you’ve had an issue in the past with frozen pipes, plea=e take preventative measures. Make sure all exterior doors and windows are=tightly shut.

·    &n=sp;    If applicable, close all storm windows to better insulate the=house.

=C2� &n=sp;       Clean =sh and/or coals from the fireplace and dispose of them safely. Do not=store fireplace ashes inside, even for brief periods.

·     &=bsp;   Check all fireplace flues for=obstructions.

oFor wood-burning fireplaces, open=chimney flue. Make a small “torch” of tightly twisted=nbsp;newspaper and hold it under the open flue; light it carefully at the =op.  If the smoke pools and doesn’t rise in the chimney =reely, snuff the flame and contact your property manager.

·     &n=sp;    Your lease stipulates that you are respo=sible for changing the filters on the furnace. Inspect furnace and replace=filter at least every three months. Failure to change furnace filters=may result in you being charged for HVAC maintenance.

·      =nbsp;   Make sure your heater turns on and runs prop=rly before you need it, e.g. before the first very cold day. If not r=nning properly, check for emergency shut-off switches, tripped breakers, a=d/or empty oil tanks.

·          Check de-humidifiers/humidifiers for efficient operation. If your=de-humidifier requires emptying, please do so regularly.

Emergency Preparat=on

=C2�     &=bsp;  Replace batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and t=st each one.

·   &nbs=;     Create or review a family emergency plan in case of fire.=/